Texas GOP counties switch back to countywide voting for May 26 runoff after primary day chaos

Mar 18, 2026

Republican parties in Texas's Dallas and Williamson counties are reverting to countywide voting for the May 26 runoff, which features a race between Sen. John Cornyn and AG Ken Paxton. The change follows widespread voter confusion and long lines during the March 3 primary, which used a precinct-based system at the GOP's request. Democrats say they warned the move would cause chaos and turn people away from the polls.

May 26 primary runoffs

▪A primary runoff election is scheduled for May 26 in Texas for candidates who failed to secure over 50% of the vote in the March primary.
▪The Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff will feature incumbent Sen. John Cornyn against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
▪Voters who participated in a party's primary in March must vote in the same party's runoff, while those who didn't vote can choose either party.

Countywide voting policy switch

▪Dallas County Republican Party Chair Allen West cited "increased risk and voter confusion" as the reason for returning to countywide voting.
▪The Texas Democratic Party stated it had warned Republican leadership that the precinct-only system would cause problems for voters.
▪A Dallas County judge ordered Democratic polling sites to stay open for two extra hours on March 3, but the Texas Supreme Court blocked the ruling.
▪Under the precinct-based system used on March 3, voters had to cast ballots at specific assigned neighborhood locations on Election Day.
▪The policy change follows voter confusion, long waits, and disruptions during the March 3 primary, which used a precinct-based system.
▪The Republican Parties in Dallas and Williamson counties will switch back to a countywide voting system for the May 26 runoff.
▪During the March 3 primary, a judge ordered two Williamson County polling places to stay open for three extra hours due to long waits.
▪The Williamson County Republican Party stated its decision to return to countywide voting was a response to voter frustration and anger.
▪The initial switch to precinct-level voting for the March primary was requested by the Republican parties in Dallas and Williamson counties.
▪In Dallas County, Republicans initially sought precinct-level voting to facilitate hand-counting ballots, a plan later abandoned due to high costs.

Voter registration requirements

▪To register, eligible Texans must submit a paper voter registration application by the April 27 deadline, as online registration is limited.
▪The deadline to register to vote or submit an address change for the May 26 runoff is April 27.
▪U.S. citizens in Texas who are 18 or older by Election Day are eligible to register to vote.

Early voting procedures

▪Early voting for the May 26 runoff will take place from May 18 to May 22.

Mail-in ballot eligibility

▪Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, May 26, and received by the county by 5 p.m. the next day.
▪The deadline for counties to receive applications to vote by mail for the runoff is May 15.
▪Eligibility for mail-in voting in Texas is limited to those who are 65 or older, sick or disabled, out of the county, or confined in jail.