Houstonians have important decisions to make in the March primary elections, including races that shape healthcare, housing, education, and voting rights.
Voters will participate in the elections on March 3, 2026, with early voting running from Feb. 17 through Feb. 27.
These primaries determine which candidates will appear on the November general election ballot.
Sample ballots can be found on harrisvotes.com.
Here is what’s on the ballot:
1. Governor
The upcoming race for Texas governor in November 2026 is on the ballot.
The governor, the state’s chief executive, has a four-year term.
Current Governor Greg Abbott announced his bid for a fourth consecutive term in November 2025. Several candidates are vying to challenge Abbott, including Mark V. Goloby, Charles Andrew Crouch, Ronnie Tullos, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Stephen Samuelson, Nathaniel Welch, R.F. “Bob” Achgill, Kenneth Hyde, Evelyn Brooks and Arturo Espinosa on the Republican side, and Angela Villescaz, Jose Navarro Bulbuena, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Andrew White, Patricia Abrego, Zach Vance, Gina Hinojosa and Carlton Hart on the Democratic side.
2. County Judge: Harris County
The office of county judge is the most critical executive position at the county level in Texas, overseeing budget, disaster response, and the county court system.
Incumbent Democrat Lina Hidalgo announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, opening up a competitive race.
Former Houston mayor Annise Parker, Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer, and Matthew Salazar are the Democratic candidates.
The GOP primary candidates include Orlando Sanchez, Marty Lancton, Aliza Dutt, Warren Howell, Oscar Gonzales, and George Zoes.
3. U.S. House of Representatives: Texas seats
All 38 Texas congressional seats are up for election. For Harris County, U.S. Representative (Districts 2, 7, 8, 9, 18, 22, 29, 36, 38) will be on the ballot.
These seats are significant, especially after the redistricting saga that set off a national trend. This election is important because of mid-cycle redistricting.
4. U.S. Senate: Texas seats
This race is to elect a member of the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Texas.
Candidates include State Rep. James Talarico, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and Ahmad Hassan from the Democratic Party, and John Cornyn (seeking his fifth term), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Anna Bender, More About Wesley Hunt, Virgil John Bierschwale, John O. Adefope, Sara Canady, and Gulrez “Gus” Khan from the Republican Party.
Republicans have won every U.S. Senate election in Texas since 1990, and an incumbent senator has not lost a primary since 1970.
5. Texas Senate and House races
16 Texas State Senate seats (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 31) will be on the ballot in 2026. State Senators serve four-year terms.
For Harris County, Districts 4, 11, 13 and 18 will be on the ballot.
The entire Texas House is also up for election, including 150 members from separate districts across the state. They serve two-year terms.
For Harris County, House Districts 126-150 will be on the ballot, depending on the area.
6. Notable races
Other notable races include those for the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Commissioner of Agriculture, all of which have four-year terms.
The Railroad Commissioner’s term lasts six years, which will also be on the ballot.
In Harris County, the Chairs and Precinct Chairs for both parties are up for election.
7. Judicial and local offices
The Harris County Attorney (for an unexpired term) is on the ballot.
Four members of the Texas Supreme Court will be on the ballot, including Chief Justice and justices (places 2, 7, and 8), three Members of the Court of Criminal Appeals (3, 4, and 9), and Chief Justice and two Members of the 15th Court of Appeals (places 2 and 3).
8. State Board of Education
Eight of the 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be on the ballot in 2026.
They serve four-year terms and decide curriculum, standards, student testing, special education programs, and textbooks for Texas public schools. It also oversees the Permanent School Fund.
The districts up for election in Harris County include Districts 6, 7, and 8.
County School Trustees (Positions 5 and 7) are also up for election.
9. Judicial and County Offices
Beyond statewide and legislative contests, Harris County voters will help decide the outcome of dozens of judicial and county-level offices in 2026.
On the judicial side, seven Chief Justices of the Courts of Appeals (3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, and 14th) are up for re-election, all serving six-year terms. These courts handle appeals from trial courts across Texas.
Voters will also choose various Court of Appeals and District Judges, Criminal District Judges, Juvenile District Judges, Family District Judges, County Civil Court Judges, County Criminal Court Judges and Probate Court Judges.
Alongside these roles, voters will also vote on an array of county offices with four-year terms, including those of County Judge, County Commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4, County and District Clerks, County Treasurer, and Justices of the Peace.
Voters will also weigh in on propositions
When voting, voters will be asked to check “yes” or “no” to indicate whether they agree with each statement.
These are “survey” items that cover policy goals and will not change state law. They are intended to gauge voter sentiments and shape the party’s legislative agenda.
Republican primary voters will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on each of the following propositions.
Democratic primary voters will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on each of the following propositions.
