Tuesday is Election Day, the last chance for Waco Republicans and Democrats to have their say in some consequential state and local primary races.
McLennan County voters will see a hefty ballot Tuesday of state and local races that will determine each party’s candidates for the Nov. 3 general election.
This year’s primary elections have witnessed higher-than-usual Democratic turnout across the state, underscoring the draw of some high-profile, competitive races and an activated Democratic base.
McLennan County election officials reported 22,419 ballots as of the end of early voting on Friday, including 8,875 Democrats and 13,544 Republicans. That compares to 28,815 in the 2022 midterms, which drew 6,003 Democrats and 22,812 Republicans.
Both parties have contested races for state and local positions representing McLennan County residents. Republicans have a high-profile race for the nomination for State Senate District 22, soon to be vacated by incumbent Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury.
Democrats will decide a matchup in the nomination for County Commissioner Precinct 2. And both parties have contested primaries for House District 56.
If you haven’t voted yet, here’s a guide to casting your ballot before polls close Tuesday evening.
Where to vote
Registered McLennan County voters have a choice of 39 vote centers around the county, open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Election results are released through the evening as they are tabulated on the county election website.
McLennan County Election Administrator Jared Goldsmith said two vote center locations — Waco First Assembly of God and Hewitt City Hall — tend to see long lines, so if you’re tight on time, choose a nearby alternative.
You can find a voting site near you through the election office website or by going to The Waco Bridge’s custom Google map.
What to bring
A voter registration card is not required at the vote center, but you must bring one of seven types of photo identification”
- Texas drivers license
- Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas handgun license issued by DPS
- U.S. military ID with photo
- U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
- United States passport (book or card).
Voters under age 70 must present identification no more than four years expired. Those over 70 may present ID of any expiration status as long as it is otherwise valid.
Who’s on the ballot?
To find state and federal races pertaining to McLennan County voters, visit our interactive guide and enter your address.
You can also visit The Waco Bridge’s annotated list of local and regional races.
Here are some primary races of special interest to McLennan County:
- A three-way bout for Texas Senate District 22 on the GOP ballot could redefine the area’s representation in the state’s highest chamber.
That contest’s heavyweights are Waco conservative leader Jon Gimble and State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), both of whom are claiming that they will prioritize Waco’s needs to the senate. Anti-data center candidate Rena Schroeder rounds out the trifecta. The winner faces Democrat Amy Martinez Salas of Fort Worth in November. - In Texas House District 56, State Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco) faces a Republican primary challenge from Ralph Patterson, a conservative activist from the Waco area. Civic leader Ashley Bean Thornton and attorney Janessa Givens are seeking the Democratic nomination.
- Waco-area Democrats are vying for a chance to unseat Republican Precinct 2 County Commissioner D.L. Wilson, under a precinct map transformed by partisan redistricting in October 2025 to weaken Democrats’ chances.
Democratic voters who have voted in Precinct 2 County Commissioner’s races in the past can consult the Waco Bridge redistricting map comparison tool to see if the new boundaries affect their ballot.
Other statewide races include Texas governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of General Land Office, Commissioner of Agriculture, Railroad Commissioner (Jim Wright’s seat), four members of the Texas Supreme Court, as well as various other state appeals judges.
Also driving turnout in the primaries is the mid-term U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) faces primary challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, while State Rep. James Talarico and U.S Rep. Jasmine Crockett are contending for the Democratic nomination.
