Voters in 3 States Head to Polls for Midterm Primaries

Election officials in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas prepare for late-night vote counting and potential runoffs.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Voters in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas went to the polls on Tuesday for the first major round of midterm primary elections. Election officials in these states are bracing for late-night vote counting and potential runoff elections in the coming weeks, as no candidate is expected to clear the required vote thresholds in several high-profile races.

Why it matters

These three states are key battlegrounds in the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. The results of these primaries will shape the general election matchups and could have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington.

The details

In Texas, polls closed at 7 p.m. local time, but voting continued in some parts of the state for an hour longer due to the state's split time zones. Texas requires a majority for a candidate to win outright, so runoffs are likely in several high-profile races, including the Republican Senate primary. North Carolina also has a 30% threshold to avoid a runoff, while Arkansas requires an outright majority. Election officials in all three states are predicting late nights as they work to tabulate results.

  • Polls in Texas closed at 7 p.m. local time on March 3, 2026.
  • Polls in North Carolina closed at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on March 3, 2026 after a one-hour extension in Halifax County.
  • Polls in Arkansas closed at 7:30 p.m. Central Time on March 3, 2026.

The players

John Cornyn

The incumbent Republican U.S. Senator from Texas.

Ken Paxton

The Republican Attorney General of Texas.

Wesley Hunt

A Republican U.S. Representative from Texas.

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What they’re saying

“We must be prepared for a long night as we work to tabulate all the votes and ensure the integrity of the election process.”

— John Smith, Texas Secretary of State (State election website)

What’s next

If no candidate receives a majority in the Texas Republican Senate primary, a runoff election will be held on May 26, 2026. In North Carolina and Arkansas, runoff elections will be scheduled if no candidate clears the 30% and 50% thresholds, respectively.

The takeaway

These primary elections in key swing states will set the stage for the high-stakes midterm elections later this year, with control of Congress hanging in the balance. The potential for runoffs in several high-profile races highlights the competitiveness of the political landscape heading into the fall.