Voters in central Texas head to active polling stations on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to participate in the democratic process.
Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman
Texas primary season isn’t over yet. Several races are headed to a runoff — the extra round used when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. The top two finishers advance to a head-to-head matchup to decide each party’s nominee.
Travis County voters will head back to the polls for a closely watched Republican U.S. Senate runoff, along with Austin-area contests for the Legislature, county government and the State Board of Education.
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to the press, acknowledging he will face a run-off with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate after the Texas Republican primary election, March 3, 2026 at the Austin Marriott Downtown in Austin, Texas.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas does not require voters to formally register with a party. But once you vote in a party’s primary, you are affiliated with that party for the runoff. That means voters who cast a ballot in the Republican primary in March cannot vote in the Democratic runoff in May, and vice versa. Voters who did not participate in either primary may still choose which party’s runoff to vote in.
Because some runoff races are district- or precinct-specific, your ballot will vary based on where you live and which party’s runoff you are eligible to vote in.
When is the runoff election?
Runoff Election Day is May 26. Winners will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
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What runoff races are on the Republican ballot in Travis County?
The Republican ballot includes the race drawing the most statewide attention, along with several others that may appear depending on where you live. Travis County’s consolidated ballot lists the following Republican runoff races: U.S. Senate, attorney general, Railroad commissioner, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3, and in some parts of the county, U.S. House District 37.
U.S. Senate
This statewide runoff will appear on every Republican ballot. The winner becomes the party’s nominee for one of Texas’ two U.S. Senate seats and will face Democratic nominee James Talarico, an Austin state representative.
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to the press, acknowledging he will face a run-off with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate after the Texas Republican primary election, March 3, 2026 at the Austin Marriott Downtown in Austin, Texas.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at an event hosted by the University of Texas chapter of Turning Point USA on campus in Austin, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
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Attorney general
The attorney general is the state’s top lawyer, representing Texas in court, defending state laws and the Texas Constitution, and overseeing consumer protection, open records rulings and child support enforcement.
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Railroad commissioner
Despite its name, the Railroad Commission primarily oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry, pipelines, natural gas utilities, certain fuels and some mining operations.
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Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas’ highest court for criminal cases, including death penalty appeals.
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U.S. House District 37
This runoff is limited to voters in the reconfigured 37th Congressional District, which now includes much of Austin after redistricting consolidated two Democratic-held seats. The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Greg Casar after longtime Rep. Lloyd Doggett opted not to run.
Ge’Nell Gary
Lauren B. Peña
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What runoff races are on the Democratic ballot in Travis County?
The Democratic runoff ballot is shorter statewide but still includes several Austin-area races. The county’s consolidated ballot lists lieutenant governor, attorney general, State Board of Education District 5, State House District 49 and Travis County commissioner Precinct 4.
Lieutenant governor
The lieutenant governor is one of the most powerful officials in Texas, presiding over the Senate and shaping which legislation advances.
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Union organizer Marcos Vélez is running for the 2026 Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
John C. Moritz/American-Statesman
Texas Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, is pictured on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman
Marcos Isaias Velez
Vikki Goodwin
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Attorney general
Joe Jaworski
Nathan Johnson
State Board of Education, District 5
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Stephanie Limon Bazan
Allison Bush
State representative, District 49
This runoff is for Texas House District 49, a heavily Austin-based seat that runs through central Austin and stretches into parts of South Austin, including areas around the UT campus, downtown-adjacent neighborhoods and the Sunset Valley corridor.
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Montserrat Garibay
Kathie Tovo
Travis County commissioner, Precinct 4
Commissioners serve on the county’s main governing body, setting the tax rate and budget and overseeing county services.
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Susanna Ledesma-Woody, candidate for Travis County Commissioners Court precinct 4, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
George Morales III, candidate for Travis County Commissioners Court precinct 4, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Susanna Ledesma-Woody
George Morales III
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