POLITICS

Early voting opens in Texas ahead of runoffs

PUBLISHED May 17, 2026, 4:32 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 6

Center 100%

Sources: 6

Austin, Texas — Early voting for the May 26 primary runoff opened Monday, May 18, and runs through Friday, May 22 across multiple counties, with Election Day voting scheduled for May 26; county offices published varying polling hours and locations to accommodate in-person early ballots. Statewide contests include the high-profile Republican U.S. Senate race between incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and several attorney general and local runoff races; a recent University of Houston Hobby School survey shows Paxton narrowly ahead, and winners of the May 26 runoffs will become the November general election nominees.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

March: Statewide primaries held, producing unresolved contests leading to runoffs.
February: Christian Menefee sworn in under newly drawn congressional boundaries.
May 18: Early voting period for the May 26 runoff begins statewide.
May 22: Early voting period ends across counties.
May 26: Runoff election day to determine final nominees for November.

News Intelligence

Your vote shapes Texas' future. The May 26 runoffs decide November's general election nominees. High-profile races include the Republican U.S. Senate and several attorney general contests. Check your county's polling hours and locations for early voting.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 6
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 6

Who Benefited

Voters benefit from additional early voting days and varied polling locations and hours, providing more access to cast ballots ahead of the May 26 runoff.

Who Impacted

Candidates who lose runoffs are removed from contention for November; campaigns face accelerated decision timelines and reallocations of resources after May 26 results.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 6
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 6
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Voters benefit from additional early voting days and varied polling locations and hours, providing more access to cast ballots ahead of the May 26 runoff.

Who Impacted

Candidates who lose runoffs are removed from contention for November; campaigns face accelerated decision timelines and reallocations of resources after May 26 results.