More Democratic ballots cast than GOP in Texas primaries: Axios

More Democratic ballots cast than GOP in Texas primaries: Axios

Democrats Outpace Republicans in Texas Early Voting, Fueling Election Analysis

Early voting in Texas’ March 2026 primaries has shown a notable surge in Democratic turnout compared to Republican voters, according to recent data. In North Texas counties such as Dallas and Tarrant, Democrats have cast significantly more ballots than Republicans during the first week of early voting. Dallas County reported nearly 78,000 Democratic votes in the initial six days, surpassing the 2022 and 2024 totals by over threefold. Republican turnout in the same period rose slightly from 2024 levels but remained at approximately 15,000 votes.

Tarrant County, a traditionally Republican stronghold, saw 56,000 Democratic votes in the first week, outpacing Republican turnout by over 10,000 ballots. Analysts attribute this shift to a competitive U.S. Senate primary between Democrats James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, which has galvanized party enthusiasm. "The Crockett/Talarico race is clearly driving Democratic turnout," said Rice University’s Mark Jones, comparing it to a high-stakes rivalry.

Harris County also reported record Democratic turnout, while Collin and Denton counties saw balanced voting between parties. Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder highlighted the shift, noting, "Republicans usually outvote us 70-30. The fact that we are ahead now shows Democrats are ready to turn out" according to local election data.

On the Republican side, Senate candidate John Cornyn has warned GOP voters that selecting Attorney General Ken Paxton could jeopardize the party’s Senate seat. Cornyn, trailing in polls despite outspending Paxton, emphasized the stakes: "I'm not willing to stand by and see this state destroyed by a flawed candidate" as reported by local news outlets.

Early voting continues through February 27, with the primary election set for March 3. The trends underscore the competitive nature of Texas' 2026 elections, with implications for national political dynamics and voter engagement strategies.

Data and quotes sourced from FOX 4 News and KXAN's March 2026 turnout tracker.
Additional context from Axios' reporting on primary voting patterns.