March Primary Results

Eye-popping, staggering, unprecedented… are just some of the ways Democratic Primary turnout has been described. More than 4.4 million Texans cast their vote in the March primaries. Following a heated primary season and historic early voting numbers, more than 2.3 million ballots were cast in the Democratic Primary, breaking records. This also marked the first time since 2020 for more Democrats to vote than Republicans—and made the possibility of the first statewide Democratic win in decades seem within reach, this November. 

A crucial takeaway from the election is that Latino voter turnout surged, with increased support for Democratic candidates, distinctly for U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico by a large margin. This swing vote suggests that the bet Republicans in Congress hedged during racial redistricting, vested in the belief that Latinos would vote Republican in perpetuity, was mistaken. 

With almost 1 in 4 registered voters participating in the primaries, it’s clear that Texans will not be denied the power of their vote, by the millions. The road to November is short, and we have just seen a preview of voter backlash to Republican policies in Austin and D.C., from rejecting masked goons abducting neighbors and inhumane detention facilities, to unsustainable healthcare costs. The racial redistricting scheme to limit Black and Brown Texans’ representation in Congress backfired—leaving Texans with the sentiment of one phrase we know well, “Come and Take it.”

Voter Suppression in Dallas and Williamson Counties

And take it, Republicans sure tried. Texas already ranks among the lowest for voting access, and voter suppression was a major obstacle this election, with the new Congressional maps to consider. Notably though, recent changes around polling locations in Dallas and Williamson Counties caused massive confusion, and ballots to be separated: this was not an accident. 

Back in December, our team warned voters about potential for Election Day confusion, highlighting the recent change from county-wide to precinct-only voting locations for Election Day, made by the Republican Parties of Dallas and Williamson Counties. We warned in emails, pods, and posts, and thanks to those of you that spread the word. But, as foretold, thousands of voters showed up at the wrong location on March 3. State law requires that both parties agree to voting county-wide. So, all voters of these counties were forced to change their routine from 2019 onward, and vote at specific locations on the last day of voting—or else be turned away at the polls and or have their votes cast provisionally. Then, adding to this major change, voting hours were extended and then retracted by dueling court decisions.

The number of ballots impacted is still unknown after the Texas Supreme Court rejected ballots cast during extended voting hours on Election Day. There are ongoing cases regarding these ballots, but the reminder remains that voting early is one of the easiest ways to ensure your vote is counted. 

“Texans are fighting Jim Crow 2.0. Millions of progressives and Democrats broke primary voting records to choose their own leaders, overcoming the racial redistricting scheme that targeted Black and Brown Texans. Fair representation and our right to vote is a basic tenet of American democracy, and those in the Lone Star State don’t take kindly to greedy billionaires, bought-politicians, and autocrats infringing on our most fundamental freedom,” said Progress Texas Advocacy Coordinator Tatum Owens.

The road to November is short: keep the momentum going.

On March 3, we saw record-breaking turnout across the Lone Star State. Democrats and progressives showed up in historic numbers to demand change in their communities. “This is not a normal election or year. It will take all of us, a historic show of collaboration and solidarity, to give the reckoning Abbott and Trump deserve at the polls for what they’ve done to our communities. Look no further than your nearest polling location to see Texans standing up FOR progressive values and AGAINST attacks on working Texans, public education, and affordable healthcare,” said Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson.  

Working Texans are tired of being trampled by billionaire-bought politicians and special interests. You can see it in support for a more affordable Texas: a version of our state that has public education that sets our children up for success, quality jobs that pay a living wage, environmental protections that shield us all from pollution, and justice for our citizen and immigrant neighbors under attack. It’s clear that tides are changing, and with it, union membership is at the highest it’s been in 25 years, with major growth in the South, plus major victories from union leaders like Taylor Rehmet, who will deliver on people-first policies fighting for Texas workers.

Looking ahead, there is a runway with months left to choose progressive values at the ballot box once more, in May for the Municipals and then the runoffs, and in November all the way down the ballot. Countless civil rights and pro-democracy organizations, plus the newly launched Texas Together initiative, are doing their part. But it’s incumbent on all of us, to fight for progress, or else submit to the Trump regime’s forces of regression and suppression.

The road ahead is not about one race, or one candidate, it’s about the road itself. Infrastructure is what we need, crucially, and progress must be built into the path ahead. Michelle H. Davis at Lone Star Left put it succinctly, “a progressive populist movement is growing in Texas. It’s building organizations, building media, electing candidates, and turning people out to vote. 2.2 million Democrats just showed up for a primary.” Imagine how many more people can show up in the coming months. This isn’t a moment, it’s a movement.

Progress Texas is an independent nonprofit rapid response media organization. While campaigns come and go, we’re the permanent home for progressive media and action in the Lone Star State.

What’s Next?

• Mark your calendars! Here’s the upcoming election dates…
  • The last day to register to vote for the next election, will be Thurs., April 2
  • May Municipals: Sat., May 2 (early voting: Mon., April 20- Tues., April 28)  
  • May Runoffs: Tues., May 26 
  • November Midterms: Tues., Nov 3
• Visit GoVoteTexas for any FAQs, (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Hindi)