MAY Matters In Texas

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2026 Texas Primary Runoff • May 26

Your community
trusts you.
Help them show up.

We give you real information about the May 26 primary runoff to help your network get informed and participate.

No ads. No jargon. No candidate endorsements. No political advocacy.

The basics

What's a runoff, anyway?

In Texas, winning a primary takes more than just getting the most votes. You need more than 50%. If nobody clears that bar, the top two candidates face off again in a runoff election. That second race is May 26. And in a state where many districts lean heavily one way, the party primary winner almost always wins in November. That means the runoff is often the real election.

Voted in March?

You can vote in the same party's runoff. That's it. No extra steps.

Skipped the primary?

You're still eligible. Pick either party's runoff and show up May 26.

Not registered yet?

The deadline is April 27. Check your status and register at VoteTexas.gov.

Learn how runoffs work →

Here's the reality

Why May 26 is the one that counts.

Most Texans miss the runoff for three reasons: they don't know when it is, they don't understand how it works, and they don't realize it shapes their daily life. That's what May Matters fixes.

50%+

drop in turnout from the March primary to the May runoff. The people who show up decide who represents your community.

Source: Texas 2036
74%

of people trust someone they know to tell them the truth about elections -- more than any ad, article, or algorithm. That person is you.

Source: 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer

Why the runoff matters: If no candidate gets more than 50% in a March primary race, the top two advance to a May runoff. With 30+ state and federal races on the line, the May 26 runoff isn't the warmup. It's the election. And with turnout this low, a small number of votes decides who represents your community for the next two years.

See why the May 26 runoff matters →

Three steps. That's it.

Here's how you help.

No political experience needed. No time commitment. Just communications that work -- built for the channels you already use to talk to your community.

Grab the Toolkit

Messages, graphics, key dates, and event guides -- all nonpartisan, all ready to go. Pick what fits your audience and your style.

Share It Your Way

Email, text, social, a quick mention before a meeting. Use the channels you already have. One message is enough to start.

People Show Up

When someone hears from a person they trust, they're more likely to act. Your network is already there. May Matters gives you the words.

Mark your calendar

The dates that matter.

+ Add All to Calendar
April 27

Registration Deadline

May 15

Mail Ballot Deadline

May 18–22 Early

Early Voting Window

May 26

Primary Runoff Election Day

About May Matters

Who we are.

May Matters is a nonpartisan coalition of Texas leaders who believe one thing: people listen to people they know, not campaigns or ads. We equip trusted voices -- employers, faith leaders, nonprofit directors, and community organizers -- with simple tools to help their networks show up for the May 26 primary runoff.

We don't support or oppose any candidate, party, or political position. Our only goal is more Texans participating, more informed.

Funded by In Good Company and the Texas Impact Education Fund.

100% nonpartisan -- no endorsements, ever

No ads, no political advocacy

Built for trusted community leaders

Free toolkit -- everything ready to use

Weekly coalition calls every Tuesday 11am CT

marchmatters.org

Ready to bring your
network in?

Tell us a little about your role and we'll send you the right resources. Takes less than two minutes.

Get Toolkit →

We're here to help

Contact Us