Texas anchors the 2026 map by sheer size, with a U.S. Senate race, the governorship, and 38 U.S. House seats on the ballot November 3, 2026. Here's a nonpartisan guide to the nation's second-largest electorate.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Texas?
The U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn is up, drawing a high-profile intraparty primary challenge that has made the race a national storyline well before November. The governorship is also on the ballot. Below them: all 38 of Texas's U.S. House seats, a full slate of state executive offices, legislative races, and county and municipal contests across a vast state.
What makes Texas a battleground, and what doesn't?
Texas has been reliably Republican statewide, but margins have narrowed as its metro areas, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, have grown and diversified, and Democrats have invested in contesting it. Whether 2026 is genuinely competitive at the top or simply closer than before, the down-ballot and House map contain real battlegrounds, and the scale of the state makes voter contact a massive logistical undertaking.
Why turnout decides Texas
Texas has historically had lower turnout than many states, which magnifies the value of mobilization: the electorate that turns out is a fraction of those eligible, so expanding it can move results. In a midterm, that's even truer. Reaching a huge, spread-out, diverse and multilingual electorate across weeks of early voting is the central challenge, and the competitive House races ride the turnout that statewide contests drive.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Texas in 2026?
A U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent John Cornyn faces a high-profile primary challenge, the governorship, and all 38 U.S. House seats, plus a full slate of state offices.
Is Texas a battleground?
Statewide it's leaned Republican, but margins have narrowed as its metros grow and diversify, and its down-ballot and House map contain real battlegrounds. Its size makes voter contact a massive undertaking.
Why does turnout matter in Texas?
Because Texas turnout has historically been low, so expanding the electorate can move results, especially in a midterm. Reaching a huge, diverse, multilingual electorate across weeks of early voting is the central challenge.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
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