Key dates
- April 27: Last day to register to vote in primary runoff election
- May 18: First day of early voting in primary runoff
- May 22: Last day of early voting in primary runoff
- May 26: Primary Runoff Election Day
Overview: May 26 primary runoff elections
El Paso County voters will cast their ballots May 26 in the Democratic and Republican primary runoff elections to decide who will move forward to the November general election. Early voting for the primary runoffs is May 18-22.
The ballot will feature the top two candidates in races where no one received a majority of their party’s vote in the March primary.
At the local level, voters will select the Republican candidate for U.S. representative in District 16 to face incumbent Democrat Veronica Escobar in November.
The Congressional District 23 race won’t be on the ballot, as Republican incumbent Tony Gonzales dropped out of the race, handing the party’s nomination to Brandon Herrera. He’ll face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in November.
Other local races on the ballot include Democratic runoffs for judgeships in the 168th District Court and County Court at Law No. 2, as well as several justice of the peace races.
At the state and federal level, candidates in more than 30 races will face off during the runoff, including the U.S. Senate race where Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is seeking a fifth term against challenger Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. State Rep. James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat in the March primary.
Many other local and state races were decided in the March primary, with voters selecting their party’s nominee for various seats, including county judge and county commissioners in two precincts. Some candidates are unopposed in November – effectively being elected to terms that begin in January.
To note: The primary runoffs follow the May 2 uniform election, where only the Town of Anthony and City of San Elizario have council elections.
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES
The El Paso Matters Voter Guide allows voters to compare candidates according to their positions on key issues in each race through our questionnaires. All candidates in local contested races were invited to respond, and candidates who didn’t respond are noted.
Democratic primary runoff
- District Court judges
- 168th District Court
- County Court at Law judges
- County Court at Law 2
- Justices of the peace
- Precinct 1
- Precinct 2
- Precinct 5
- Precinct 6, Place 1
- Precinct 6, Place 2
Republican primary runoff
- U.S House of Representatives
- District 16
Frequently asked questions
How do I register to vote?
Registration deadline for the May 26, 2026, primary runoff election is Monday, April 27.
To register to vote in Texas, you must be a citizen of the United States and be 18 years old by Election Day. You can print a postage-paid application from the El Paso County Elections Department or pick one up in-person at the county courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio Ave. Suite 315.
Applications can also be found at public libraries and post offices. Click here for more information.
How do I check if I’m registered to vote?
Check your registration status with the El Paso County Elections Department or the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Do I have to declare a party to vote in the primary runoffs?
Yes. When you reach the polling site during the March primary runoffs, you’ll be asked whether you’re voting Democrat or Republican. The ballot you’re given depends on what party you’re voting in or voted on during the March Primary.
Can I switch parties between the primary and primary runoff elections?
No. You have to vote in the same party during the May runoff as you did in the March primary. If you don’t vote in the primary, you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican runoff election in May.
Can I vote for candidates from any party in the general election?
Yes. You can vote for candidates in either party in partisan races during the November general election regardless of what party you voted in during the primary and primary runoffs.
Can I vote straight ticket for a party in the general election?
No. Voters can no longer vote “straight ticket” with one selection. You have to manually select each candidate for whom you want to vote.
Which elected offices will be on my ballot?
- Democratic sample ballot
- Republican sample ballot
- Personalized sample ballot: (coming soon!) If you are a registered voter, you can view and print a sample ballot of all candidates in your voting districts and precincts.
Where and when can I vote in person?
If you’re a registered voter, you can vote at any voting location during early voting and on Election Day – you do not have to vote at a specific location.
- Early voting locations and hours (hours vary)
- (TBA) Election Day voting sites (polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
What do I need to vote in person?
You’ll need one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID, which include a Texas driver’s license, U.S. passport book or card, or Texas personal ID card.
Can I vote by mail?
You can vote by mail in Texas if you are age 65 or older on Election Day; are sick or have a disability; are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or are in jail but still eligible to vote. You can also vote by mail if you will be out of El Paso County on Election Day and during the early voting period.
You must apply to receive a mail-in ballot and the El Paso County Elections Department must receive your application by 5 p.m. Friday, May 15. More information can be found HERE.
When is my mail-in ballot due?
The Elections Department must receive your mail-in ballot by 7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, May 26, if the carrier envelope is not postmarked.
If the envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. Election Day, the Elections Department will accept it through 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Click HERE for more information on civilian mail-in ballots.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents are also eligible to vote early by mail under the same process, but some special provisions may apply.
After you send in your mail ballot, you can track it HERE.
What are the new postmark rules at the U.S. Post Office?
Under a new rule implemented in December, U.S. Post Office postmarks, which include a date stamp, now reflect the date the agency processes your piece of mail, including election ballots. Previously, the postmark indicated when USPS “first accepted possession” of it – or when you dropped it in a mailbox.
The Postal Service recommends voters mail their ballots at least a week before the deadline.
Election News
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