Texas Kicks Off 2026 Election Season with Competitive Senate Primaries

Voters in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:55am

The 2026 election season is underway, with voters in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas heading to the polls on Tuesday. The most attention will be on the highly competitive Senate primaries in Texas, where the results may not be known for some time as election officials work to verify and tally all the votes. It's important for voters to rely on trusted sources like The New York Times for the most up-to-date and accurate information, as early vote totals may not tell the full story and partisan actors may try to exploit any administrative errors.

Why it matters

The 2026 midterm elections will shape the balance of power in Congress, and the results in Texas could have significant implications for the national political landscape. Voters in these three states will help set the tone for the rest of the election season.

The details

The New York Times is providing comprehensive coverage of the 2026 election season, with a focus on the key races in Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina. Readers can expect to see regular updates on the vote tallies and race calls as the results come in. The Times is working closely with the Associated Press to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information being reported.

  • Polls in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas closed at 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • The New York Times will begin reporting results as soon as the polls close, with regular updates throughout the night.

The players

The New York Times

A leading national newspaper that is providing comprehensive coverage of the 2026 election season, including real-time updates on the vote tallies and race calls.

The Associated Press

A news agency that is working closely with The New York Times to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information being reported on the 2026 elections.

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What’s next

The New York Times will continue to provide live updates and analysis throughout the evening as the results in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas become clearer.

The takeaway

The 2026 election season is underway, and voters in three key states will help set the tone for the rest of the election cycle. It's important for voters to rely on trusted sources like The New York Times for the most up-to-date and accurate information, as early vote totals may not tell the full story and partisan actors may try to exploit any administrative errors.