Early voting is underway across Texas for the state’s primary runoff battle.
Runoff elections typically draw smaller crowds than their primary or general election counterparts, but this year’s runoff ballot includes some key state races, perhaps none as watched as the Republican U.S. Senate contest between incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The winner of the Republican U.S. Senate runoff will advance to face state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, in the Nov. 3 General Election.
Further down the ballot, Democrats will decide a lieutenant governor runoff, and members of both parties will have to decide their nominee for attorney general.
Meanwhile, El Paso Republicans will have to choose their candidate to take on U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, while both parties will weigh in on local justice of the peace races and various judgeships.
Turnout on first day of early voting
On the first day of early voting, Monday, May 18, just over 55,600 ballots were submitted across Texas in the Democratic primary runoff, representing 0.3% of the state’s 18.6 million registered voters, according to the Secretary of State’s website.
In El Paso, a similar trend played out — with very few hotly contested Democratic contests on the ballot, 4,032 ballots were submitted in El Paso, 0.76% of the county’s 527,905 registered voters, according to the El Paso County Elections Department website.
Surprisingly, even fewer Republicans turned out for the first day of early voting — statewide, fewer than 54,100 Republican ballots were cast, or 0.29% of registered voters.
Locally, the total was even more abysmal, with only 1,471 Republican ballots cast, or 0.28% of registered voters.
When is the early voting period?
Unlike most elections, the early voting period for the 2026 primary runoff in Texas runs only five days, Monday, May 18, until Friday, May 22, due to the Memorial Day holiday.
What races are on the ballot?
Democratic voters in El Paso will decide the following primary runoff contests:
Republican voters in El Paso will decide the following primary runoff contests:
Where can I vote?
Following is a list of all 38 early voting sites across El Paso County:
What identification is required?
The following is a list of acceptable photo identification that will not require a voter to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at their polling place:
The following supporting documents, either original or a copy, can also be used but would require completion of a Reasonable Impediment Declaration:
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Early voting underway in Texas primary runoff election
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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