What early voting and key races show as Houston-area voters decide March 3 primary winners

Primary Election Day arrives across Harris County

Voters in Houston and across Harris County are choosing party nominees in the March 3, 2026 primary election, with polls scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Under Texas election rules, voters who are in line by closing time must be allowed to cast a ballot.

Early voting ran from Feb. 17 through Feb. 27. Statewide participation set a new high-water mark for early primary turnout, with more than 2.5 million ballots cast before Election Day. The statewide figures include both major parties and reflect a significant increase over the previous record pace seen ahead of the 2020 presidential primary.

Early turnout surge, especially among Democrats in Harris County

In Harris County, early voting totals were substantially higher than in the comparable 2022 midterm primary cycle. The increase was driven largely by Democratic voters: early Democratic turnout was reported as more than doubling compared with 2022, while Republican early turnout also rose but at a smaller rate. Statewide, Democratic early votes outnumbered Republican early votes by roughly 200,000 heading into Election Day.

Turnout patterns are closely watched because several Houston-area contests are expected to be decided either by narrow margins or by whether a candidate can avoid a runoff. In Texas primaries, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win outright; otherwise, the top two advance to a runoff currently scheduled for May 26, 2026.

Harris County Judge race: replacing a departing incumbent

One of the highest-profile local contests is the race for Harris County Judge, the county’s top executive position. Incumbent Lina Hidalgo is not seeking re-election, making the primary a gateway to the November 3, 2026 general election.

On the Democratic ballot, the contest has centered on former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer. Pre-election polling conducted in early February indicated Parker held a sizable advantage among likely Democratic primary voters, while a notable share of Democratic voters remained undecided before early voting began.

On the Republican side, the field has been more fragmented. Former Houston City Council member and former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez and firefighter-turned-union leader Patrick “Marty” Lancton have been among the better-known contenders, but polling suggested a majority of likely Republican primary voters had not settled on a candidate shortly before early voting started.

Congressional map changes reshape a major Houston-area primary

Another closely watched contest is the Democratic primary in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the first held under newly redrawn boundaries that shift the district’s electorate. The new configuration absorbs much of what had been Texas’ 9th District while shedding parts of central Houston.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee is seeking a full term after winning a January special election held under the district’s prior boundaries. He faces longtime U.S. Rep. Al Green, whose former district base overlaps substantially with the redrawn 18th, and also faces Gretchen Brown. Republicans are also holding a primary in the district.

What to expect as results begin posting

• Initial unofficial returns typically include early voting and Election Day ballots reported after polls close.

• Any contest without a majority winner is expected to move to a May 26, 2026 runoff.

• Several Houston-area races are unfolding against the backdrop of record-setting early participation statewide.

Primary results determine which candidates advance to the November 3, 2026 general election ballot, and whether voters will see runoffs on May 26, 2026.