Texas Runoff Voting Starts Today in Lubbock for May 26 Election

Early voting for the Texas primary runoff election starts today, May 18, 2026. This is to decide party nominees before the May 26 general runoff.
By Newsroom | Politics, Texas |

Early voting for the Texas primary runoff election begins today, May 18, 2026, and continues through May 22. Residents in Lubbock County head to the polls to finalize party nominations for offices ranging from federal legislative seats to local administrative roles. The general runoff date is scheduled for May 26, 2026.

The core function of this runoff is to narrow candidate fields that failed to reach a majority threshold in the March primary election.

AP News in Brief at 6:04 a.m. EDT - 1

Current Ballot Status: Lubbock County

  • Republican Primary: Voters will decide contests including U.S. Senate (featuring John Cornyn) and U.S. House District 19 (featuring Tom Sell). The Lubbock County Clerk race is also on the ballot, involving candidates Sandy Garcia, Jim Baxa, and Rebeca Gonzales.

  • Democratic Primary: The field for the Lubbock County Democratic Party chair has effectively closed following the withdrawal of candidate Ceja, leaving Gomez as the presumptive chair.

  • Statewide: Contests include seats for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Railroad Commissioner.

Race TypeScopeKey Context
FederalU.S. Senate / HouseOpen to all registered party voters
StatewideAttorney General / Railroad CommissionerStatewide ballot access
CountyLubbock ClerkLocal administrative oversight

Procedural Context and Background

The runoff mechanism in Texas serves as a filter for Electoral Systems when no single candidate secures more than 50% of the initial vote. While participation in these Primary Runoffs often sees a decrease compared to general elections, they remain critical for defining the ideological direction of party platforms.

Local elections for city, township, and school boards occurred earlier in May, independent of these primary runoffs. The current cycle is defined by a mix of high-profile state positions and specific county-level management roles, which require separate Voter Verification based on precinct geography.

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Note: Data regarding candidate specifics for statewide races remains fluid as the Secretary of State reconciles certification after the March results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does early voting start for the Texas primary runoff election in Lubbock?
Early voting for the Texas primary runoff election begins today, May 18, 2026, and runs until May 22, 2026. This allows Lubbock County residents to cast their ballots before the main runoff election day.
Q: What is the main purpose of the Texas primary runoff election on May 26, 2026?
The runoff election is held because no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the March primary. It helps narrow down the candidate field to ensure a majority winner for each party's nomination.
Q: Which key races are voters deciding in the Lubbock County primary runoff?
Voters in Lubbock County will decide on nominations for races like the U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 19, and the Lubbock County Clerk. Statewide positions like Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are also on the ballot.
Q: Who are the candidates for Lubbock County Clerk in the primary runoff?
The candidates for Lubbock County Clerk in the Republican primary runoff are Sandy Garcia, Jim Baxa, and Rebeca Gonzales. The Democratic Party chair race has effectively closed with Gomez as the likely nominee.