Midterm Primaries Kick Off in Texas, North Carolina Amid Voting Issues
The 2026 midterm election season officially commenced on Tuesday with primaries in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas, setting the stage for a pivotal political cycle. These elections mark the first statewide contests of the year, drawing national attention to key races and voter turnout. In Texas, the voting process faced challenges, with reports from Dallas County of voters being turned away, leading officials to keep polling places open for an additional two hours for the Democratic primary to ensure all voters could participate. Key races are under scrutiny, particularly in Texas where historical trends show competitive general elections even in years when Democratic presidential candidates win nationally. Meanwhile, North Carolina features a critical open U.S. Senate race, as incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking re-election. This has created a highly competitive primary for both Democrats and Republicans in a traditional battleground state that voted for former President Donald Trump but also elected a Democratic governor. The outcomes of these primaries will shape the general election battlefield for control of Congress. The day's events, including the voting irregularities and the high-stakes Senate primary, underscore the intense political polarization and the importance of these early contests in the broader midterm landscape.
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In today’s newsletter: The candidates at risk in today’s primaries. Trump won’t put an end date to the Iran war. And the Supreme Court blocks California restrictions on schools notifying parents about students’ transgender status. Here’s what to know today. ... Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina are kicking off the 2026 midterm ...
Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share ... Polls are beginning to close in primary elections in three states, in a vote that marks the official beginning of the midterm elections. Voters cast ballots in North Carolina, Arkansas and Texas...
Here's what Texas voters should be paying attention to on primary Election Day | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station
Henson noted that it wasn’t ... in a primary year. The most recent examples were in 2008, when Barack Obama won the presidency, and in 2020, when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in his first bid for reelection. In both cases, however, a majority of Texans voted for the Republican presidential candidate in the general election. Also in both cycles, incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn won reelection. The Texas Newsroom's Rachel Osier ...
“We will continue to evaluate the situation on the ground and are calling for an extension of voting hours to ensure all Texans’ voices are heard in this critical election,” Talarico said in a news release. ... Jasmine Crockett, Talarico’s main primary opponent, said in a statement ...
The News will provide live election results this evening when the polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be updated throughout the evening for statewide races and Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties. ... Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. ... By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Dallas County will keep polling places for the Democratic primary ...
Voters wait in line to cast their ... in the North Carolina primary election in Durham, N.C., on Feb. 28, 2026. Rachel Jessen/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Rachel Jessen/Bloomberg via Getty Images · Some of the first statewide primaries in the nation ...
Any registered North Carolina voter can see a sample ballot in the "Your Sample Ballot" section of their Voter Search profile on the state Board of Elections website. Check for that ballot here. With current Sen. Thom Tillis (R) opting not to run for reelection, the doors are wide open for his replacement. Both Democrats and Republicans are hosting primaries ...
North Carolina, a traditional battleground where Democrats have been able to hold the governor’s seat even as voters helped send President Donald Trump to the White House, is one of three states kicking off this year’s midterm elections, along with Texas and Arkansas. Tuesday’s slate of primaries ...
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