Trending Now - Texas Voters Demand Transparency Amid Vote Suppression Concerns

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Texas Senator John Cornyn (Republican)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Republican)

State Representative James Talarico (Democrat)

U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (Democrat)

U.S. Representative Al Green (Democrat)

U.S. Representative Christian Menefee (Democrat)

Former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke

Late-night host Stephen Colbert

Texas Civil Rights Project

Texas Secretary of State

Dallas County Republican Party Chair Allen West

Williamson County Republican Party Chair Michelle Evans

Denisse Molina, poll monitor

Amber Mills, issue advocacy director of Move Texas

Terri Burke, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party

WHAT:

Texas primary elections held on March 3, 2026.

James Talarico won the Democratic primary with 53.1% of the vote; Jasmine Crockett received 45.6%.

A runoff is scheduled for May 26, 2026, between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, as neither candidate received over 50% of the vote.

Over 2.2 million votes were cast in the Democratic primary, the highest for a midterm since at least 1970.

Voting issues in Dallas and Williamson counties led to confusion and allegations of voter suppression.

The Texas Supreme Court ordered that ballots cast after 7 p.m. on March 3, 2026, be set aside.

Al Green and Christian Menefee are in a runoff for the 18th Congressional District.

WHERE:

Texas, specifically Dallas and Williamson counties.

Locations include Fretz Park Library, Irving City Hall, and Casa View Elementary.

Talarico's campaign events in Austin, Texas.

WHEN:

March 3, 2026: Texas primary elections held.

May 26, 2026: Scheduled runoff for the Republican Senate primary.

Voting hours extended to 9 p.m. in Dallas County due to confusion, later stayed by the Texas Supreme Court.

WHY:

Changes in voting rules by local Republicans led to confusion among voters.

The switch to precinct-only voting was intended to reduce opportunities for alleged voter fraud.

The high stakes of the Senate race and the potential for Democrats to win a statewide seat motivated increased voter turnout.

HOW:

Voting was conducted at assigned precincts rather than countywide voting centers.

Emergency petitions were filed by the Dallas County Democratic Party to extend voting hours due to confusion.

The Texas Supreme Court intervened to stay lower court rulings regarding extended voting hours.

The Texas primary elections held last Monday saw significant developments, with James Talarico winning the Democratic primary with 53.1 percent of the vote, while Jasmine Crockett followed closely with 45.6 percent. A runoff is now set for May 26 between Republican candidates John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, as neither secured over 50 percent. Over 2.2 million votes were cast in the Democratic primary, marking the highest turnout for a midterm election in Texas since at least 1970, but voting issues in Dallas and Williamson counties led to confusion and allegations of voter suppression. The Texas Supreme Court ordered that ballots cast after 7 p.m. on March 3 be set aside, following emergency petitions from the Dallas County Democratic Party. Additionally, Al Green and Christian Menefee are headed for a runoff in the 18th Congressional District, as changes in voting rules sparked controversy and motivated increased voter turnout.