Texas voting results: How to check live updates as James Talarico takes on Ken Paxton in key Senate race as Democrats eye first statewide win since 1994

In Texas, elections close at 7 pm and US Senate nominee James Talarico hopes to deliver Democrats their first statewide electoral win in 32 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has also has his eyes to script history by winning a record fourth term. The primary results are expected to begin appearing shortly afterward. The Texas Secretary of State's Office said statewide and district-level results may begin appearing in its Election Night Returns system around 7:30 p.m. Counties also report results through their own election websites, as per USA Today. According to PBS, voters in Texas cast 7,467,849 early in-person and 293,512 mail-in ballots before Election Day 2026.

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When will Texas results start coming?

The first unofficial results from Texas are expected shortly after 7 p.m. Central Time. However, the state's election reporting system is likely to start displaying results around 7:30 p.m. Counties generally report early voting and mail-in ballot totals first. Results from Election Day voting follow as ballots are transported from polling stations to county election offices and counting centres.


Updates are expected to continue throughout election night and into Wednesday, November 4, as counties complete the counting and reporting process. The Texas Secretary of State's Office does not declare winners or officially call races. It publishes election results submitted by individual counties, as per USA Today.

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How can you check Texas voting results?

If you want to check Texas voting results, you can check Election Night Returns portal. The Texas Secretary of State's Office will publish statewide and district-level election results here.

For local races and ballot measures, voters should check their county election office's website. County results may appear before the same totals are reflected in the statewide reporting system. A candidate or news organization declaring a winner on Election Night is not the same as the state officially certifying the results.

Ken Paxton vs James Talarico in tough fight

The US Senate race in Texas between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm elections.

Paxton, who has served three terms as Texas attorney general, was impeached by the state House in 2023 but acquitted by the state Senate. Backed by President Donald Trump just a week before the vote, he defeated Senator John Cornyn in a May primary runoff.

Talarico, a state representative from the Austin suburbs, is a former middle school teacher and seminarian. He defeated Representative Jasmine Crockett outright in the March primary. His campaign has focused on faith, public education and the rising cost of living.

Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas since 1994. However, recent polls have shown Paxton trailing Talarico, adding to the uncertainty surrounding this high-profile Senate contest.