Harris County polls open at 7 a.m. for Senate and governor races

Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time across Harris County on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as residents in Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, and Baytown began casting ballots in the midterm elections. The Harris County Herald notes that the day's primary focus for local voters includes the selection of the state's next U.S. Senator and the Governor of Texas, alongside federal House seats and various state and local offices. According to Ballotpedia, Texas polls remain open until 7 p.m., and voters who are in line when the polls close are entitled to cast their ballot regardless of their arrival time.

The U.S. Senate race in Texas is an open seat, meaning there is no incumbent running for re-election. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who received the endorsement of President Donald Trump during the primary, is competing against Democrat James Talarico. The Associated Press describes this contest as a key battleground, noting that the state voted for Trump in 2024 by a margin of 13.6 percent. The race is part of a larger national contest where Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the Senate from the Republicans, who currently hold 53 seats.

In the race for Governor of Texas, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott is on the ballot seeking re-election. The AP characterizes the governor's race as competitive, alongside the contests in Florida and Iowa. Abbott is running against a field that includes candidates from the Democratic, Independent, and Libertarian parties, as listed by Ballotpedia. The outcome of this race will determine whether Republicans continue to hold the majority of governorships nationwide, a status they have maintained since 2010. Democrats are aiming for a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority for the first time in two decades.

Voters in Harris County also have every U.S. House seat in the state on their ballot. The Associated Press reports that all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election in this midterm cycle. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and several vacancies. For Democrats to secure a majority in the House, they must achieve a net gain of three districts. The AP-NORC polling indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of President Trump's job performance, a figure that may influence how voters in Harris County, a state that voted for Trump in 2024, approach their ballots today.

The ballot also includes state executive offices, state legislative seats, and local municipal elections. Ballotpedia confirms that local ballot measures are also on the ballot in various jurisdictions within the state. While the specific measures vary by county, Harris County voters are making decisions on local governance and funding that will shape services in the county's major urban centers. The election administration in Texas is proceeding under standard protocols, with the U.S. Postal Service adding hours and staff to ensure mail-in ballots are counted on time, according to Reuters.

President Trump held a rally in Salina, Kansas, on Sunday, stating he wanted voters to pretend he was on the ballot. His recent schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, where he campaigned for Republican candidates. The AP notes that many Republican candidates have kept their distance from the President despite his active campaigning. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including allegations regarding noncitizen voting, which has led to legal battles in states like Alaska and California. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from implementing a plan to prevent noncitizen voting on Monday, a move critics said could disenfranchise eligible voters.

The mood among voters is described by the Associated Press as a referendum on the President's second term, with many citizens expressing frustration over high prices and the war with Iran. AP-NORC polling shows that about seven in 10 adults believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the President for rising costs. In Harris County, voters are weighing these national issues against local concerns as they cast their ballots. The AP notes that more than 57 million people had already voted by Monday, surpassing early voting totals from four years ago in many closely watched states.

Financially, the 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more. Republican committees outraised and outspent their Democratic counterparts, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk, while Democrats outraised their opponents at the individual candidate level. This financial dynamic is playing out in Harris County, a heavily populated area that is a target for both parties.

For those still undecided, the Harris County Herald advises checking vote.gov or the state election office for specific polling place locations. ID rules vary by state, and voters are encouraged to verify Texas's identification requirements before arriving at the polls. The day marks the halfway point of President Trump's second term, with the results determining who controls Congress for his final two years. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings are likely, according to the AP.

In the Senate, the Texas race is one of 13 battleground races identified by Ballotpedia. Other key contests include races in Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff is facing Rep. Mike Collins, and North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper is running against former RNC chair Michael Whatley. The AP notes that economic strain and tariffs have made several states competitive, including Maine, where Sen. Susan Collins is facing Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The outcome of these races will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years.