Dallas County voters face record spending in 2026 midterm

Polls across Dallas County opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in cities including Dallas, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, and Grand Prairie. Texans will vote until 7 p.m. Today to decide the outcome of the midterm elections. These contests are critical for determining who controls Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. The state is using new congressional maps this year, which adds a layer of complexity to the races for U.S. House seats. Local and state offices, including the governorship, are also on the ballot in Texas.

The 2026 election cycle is projected to be the most expensive in history. Financial data indicates that Republican committees have outraised and outspent their Democratic counterparts at the committee level. This advantage has been supported by Trump affiliated groups and contributions from Elon Musk. However, at the individual candidate level, Democrats have managed to outraise their opponents. This divergence in funding strategies highlights the different approaches each party is taking to secure victories in this high stakes environment.

An Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data reveals a concentrated spending effort by the Republican side. Specifically, 88.1 percent of Republican general election television ad spending was directed toward states and districts that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. Within that category, more than 850 million dollars was spent in areas where Trump won by ten points or more. This strategy suggests a focus on solidifying support in friendly territory while also defending vulnerable seats. Voters in Dallas County are seeing this advertising saturation in their local media markets as they head to the polls.

In Texas, voters are choosing between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico for the U.S. Senate seat. President Trump backed Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the primary. The race is considered competitive, with the state having voted for Trump by a 13.6 percent margin in 2024. Additionally, incumbent Governor Greg Abbott is running for reelection against Democratic challengers. The Associated Press describes the Texas governor race as competitive, making it a focal point for national attention alongside the Senate contest.

Locally, all U.S. House seats in Texas are up for election. Republicans currently hold a majority in the House, but Democrats need a net gain of three districts to take control. In Dallas County, specific districts will see changes due to the new redistricting maps. Voters in the county are also deciding on state legislative races and local municipal offices. The outcome of these local contests will influence representation in the Texas state government and the allocation of state resources to the region.

The Associated Press describes the overall mood of the election as a referendum on Trump’s second term. Polling from AP NORC shows that 35 percent of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while about seven in ten say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Many voters cite high prices and economic strain as primary concerns. This sentiment is reflected in statements from voters across the country who feel the cost of living has risen significantly. The election is seen as a chance for voters to signal their approval or disapproval of the current administration’s policies.

Republicans are bracing for the possibility of losing the House while fighting to maintain their majority in the Senate. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber in either direction. Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic, with House Leader Hakeem Jeffries outlining a 100 day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight if his party gains control. The stakes are high for both parties, as a change in leadership in either chamber could lead to new investigations and potential impeachment proceedings against members of the administration.

More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This early turnout is a significant factor in determining the final outcome, as it reduces the pressure on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service has added staff and hours to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. In Dallas County, early voting was extensive, with many residents casting their ballots over the past two weeks to avoid long lines on Tuesday.

Federal legal battles are also shaping the election. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from implementing a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, citing concerns about disenfranchising eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. These legal moves have raised questions about the administration’s role in election administration, with Democrats fearing interference and Republicans arguing for stricter verification processes.

Trump held dozens of rallies leading up to Election Day, ending his schedule in Salina, Kansas. He urged voters to pretend he was on the ballot, a strategy aimed at energizing his base. Many Republican candidates kept some distance from the president during the final days of the campaign, a common tactic in midterm elections. The mood in the country is tense, with both parties claiming momentum as polls close. The results will begin to emerge in the coming hours and days.

Voters in Dallas County are making their choices in a national context defined by record spending and deep political division. The outcome of these races will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years and influence the 2028 presidential cycle. Whether Democrats can capitalize on their candidate level fundraising edge or if Republicans can maintain their committee level advantage will be clear once the votes are counted. For now, the focus is on the turnout and the final tally in key districts across the county and the state.