
Election Day, November 3, is 260 days away. And many, hopefully most of us are counting. Holding our collective breath. Hoping the nation lasts that long. Hoping we can last that long. Eager to vote for a change, a stop to the insanity in Washington. Determined to reject autocracy and restore democracy.
But don’t forget — before that important midterm election, there are primary elections in every state. The earliest ones are next month, with the first (Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas) on March 3, a mere 15 days from now. The rescue and restoration starts then.
Primaries are the critical first step. What changes or doesn’t change in Washington will be determined in part by the results of those primaries. So mark your calendars and cast your vote in your primary election. It matters! Historically, in midterm elections, the party out of power usually gains seats in Congress. But it won’t happen if voters don’t vote.
There’s a reason why Trump wanted Texas to rework (gerrymander) its voting district map to produce more Republicans. And a reason why California conducted a counter redistricting. And a reason why other states are considering similar actions. There’s a reason why Trump wants to do away with mail-in ballots and a reason why he wants to require photo IDs for voters. He knows he can’t run for re-election in 2028 (at least not according to the Constitution), but the interim preservation and continuation of his autocratic government depend on a like-minded Republican majority in Congress.
That’s where you come in; the primaries are critical for success in November. Your vote is crucial. Make sure you are properly registered. And make sure you vote. It matters!
| State | Primary Date | Runoff Date | Statute/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 05/19/2026 | 06/16/2026 | Ala. Code § 17-13-3 |
| Alaska | 08/18/2026 | Alaska Stat. § 15.25.020 | |
| Arizona | 07/21/2026 | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-201 | |
| Arkansas | 03/03/2026 | 03/31/2026 | Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-7-203 |
| California | 06/02/2026 | Cal. Elec. Code § 1201 | |
| Colorado | 06/30/2026 | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-4-101 | |
| Connecticut | 08/11/2026 | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-423 | |
| Delaware | 09/15/2026 | Del. Code Ann. tit. 15, § 3101 | |
| Florida | 08/18/2026 | Fla. Stat. § 100.061 | |
| Georgia | 05/19/2026 | 06/16/2026 | Ga. Code §§ 21-2-150, 2-2-501(a) |
| Hawaii | 08/08/2026 | Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 12-2 | |
| Idaho | 05/19/2026 | Idaho Code § 34-601 | |
| Illinois | 03/17/2026 | Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 10, § 5/2A-1.1 | |
| Indiana | 05/05/2026 | Ind. Code § 3-10-1-3 | |
| Iowa | 06/02/2026 | Iowa Code § 43.7 | |
| Kansas | 08/04/2026 | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-203 | |
| Kentucky | 05/19/2026 | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 118.025Kentucky holds elections for statewide offices in odd-numbered years. | |
| Louisiana | 05/16/2026 | 06/27/2026 | La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 18:402, 18:410.10, 18:419.2These dates apply only to the 2026 congressional primary. Louisiana holds elections for state legislators and statewide offices in odd-numbered years. |
| Maine | 06/09/2026 | Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 339 | |
| Maryland | 06/23/2026 | Md. Elect. Code Ann. § 8-201 | |
| Massachusetts | 09/01/2026 | Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 53, § 28 | |
| Michigan | 08/04/2026 | Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.534 | |
| Minnesota | 08/11/2026 | Minn. Stat. § 204D.03 | |
| Mississippi | 03/10/2026 | 04/07/2026 | Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-1031These dates apply only to the 2026 congressional primary. Mississippi holds elections for state legislators and statewide offices in odd-numbered years. |
| Missouri | 08/04/2026 | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.341 | |
| Montana | 06/02/2026 | Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-107 | |
| Nebraska | 05/12/2026 | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-401 | |
| Nevada | 06/09/2026 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.175 | |
| New Hampshire | 09/08/2026 | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 653:8 | |
| New Jersey | 06/02/2026 | N.J. Rev. Stat. § 19:23-40These dates apply only to the 2026 congressional primary. New Jersey holds elections for state legislators and statewide offices in numbered odd years. | |
| New Mexico | 06/02/2026 | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-8-11 | |
| New York | 06/23/2026 | N.Y. Elect. Law § 8-100 | |
| North Carolina | 03/03/2026 | 05/12/2026 | N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-1, 163-11 |
| North Dakota | 06/09/2026 | N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-11-01 | |
| Ohio | 05/05/2026 | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.01 | |
| Oklahoma | 06/16/2026 | 8/25/2026 | Okla. Stat. tit. 26, §§ 1-102, 1-103 |
| Oregon | 05/19/2026 | Or. Rev. Stat. § 254.056 | |
| Pennsylvania | 05/19/2026 | Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 2753 | |
| Rhode Island | 09/08/2026 | R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-15-1 | |
| South Carolina | 06/09/2026 | 06/23/2026 | S.C. Code Ann. §§ 7-13-15, 7-13-50 |
| South Dakota | 06/02/2026 | 07/28/2026 | S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §§ 12-2-1, 12-6-51.1 |
| Tennessee | 08/06/2026 | Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 2-1-104, 2-13-202 | |
| Texas | 03/03/2026 | 05/26/2026 | Tex. Elect. Code Ann. § 41.007 |
| Utah | 06/23/2026 | Utah Code Ann. § 20A-1-201.5 | |
| Vermont | 08/11/2026 | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2351 | |
| Virginia | 06/16/2026 | Va. Code § 24.2-510These dates apply only to the 2026 congressional primary. Virginia holds elections for state legislators and statewide offices in odd-numbered years. | |
| Washington | 08/04/2026 | Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.04.311 | |
| West Virginia | 05/12/2026 | W. Va. Code § 3-5-1 | |
| Wisconsin | 08/11/2026 | Wis. Stat. § 5.02 | |
| Wyoming | 08/18/2026 | Wyo. Stat. § 22-2-104 |

absolutely !!!!!
I can’t wait. I’ve lived at this address for 20 years and have been in three different congressional districts. (Wish the bipartisan committee would make up their minds.) My current rep is a Republican who won by only a few hundred votes. I hope the Dems come up with a really strong candidate.
Try to get a local Indivisible chapter to help they’ll offer support
I’d not heard of Indivisible. But a glance at their website and I can say I’d already written to my reps in DC, several times, about opposing, changing, reining in ICE. Exactly what’s going on right now. Looks like Indivisible is doing much the same thing as 50501, but on a more locally accessible level. Thanks for the tip!
I’m a member of indivisible here, they organized the No Kings protests and 50501 and other like minded groups are all working toward the same goals. They are very easy to be a part of or not, but just are very supportive of working toward hanging onto democracy and standing up to and fighting those who are trying to tear it down. they have a weekly zoom national meeting and it’s on YouTube the following day if you’re interested, bu the local meetings are where you can really connect with people who are doing things on the local level. and national is helping to support candidates as well.
I really do appreciate your mentioning this. I look forward to learning about efforts on the local level, starting right here with the Republican congressman we’ve got.
Wow! I’m impressed that you have all the state primaries noted. Since I work part-time at my local Board of Elections during the “election season,” I am always involved with what is going on.
In the meantime, watch what is going on in Congress with the SAVE Act. Personally, I hope it doesn’t pass in the Senate (it’s already passed in the House) because it will disenfranchise many voters, mostly women. ~Nan
Yes, I’m keeping an eye on the SAVE Act. Trump, of course, wants to disenfranchise as many immigrants and people of color as possible. If married or formerly married women get caught in the crossfire, I’m sure he doesn’t care (unless they are the wives of his wealthy donors). However, I am glad I took back my maiden name after my divorce. When I got my driver’s license here in Colorado, the process included voter registration, and I had to produce my valid out-of-state driver’s license and my birth certificate to complete the process. At the very least, any SAVE Act changes taking effect between now and November will create massive chaos.
Still not sure SAVE doesn’t trample on the states’ rights to manage their own voter registration, verification, and elections.
Trump has threatened to do all this via Executive Order if need be. He’s also threatened to end mail-in ballots by Executive Order (effectively disenfranchising moi).
Anyway, thank you for giving your time to your Board of Elections. It’s important that informed, concerned citizens take an active role in our elections.
I didn’t realize you didn’t know about Indivisible, Colorado. Yeah, they’re Good To Know; they organized No Kings in October, e.g. They’re definitely a voice you want to be echoing.
I reckon your list of Primaries is absolutely ACE – three cheers for you, Colorado !!!
Somehow I’d managed not to hear about Indivisible. I’d thought 50501 was the top organizing organization. But I know now, thanks to Beth, and have already sought them out.
I can’t take credit for the Primaries list. I picked it up from the National Conference of State Legislatures. There are several sites with similar lists. But I know lots of readers won’t bother to click on a link, so I just posted the whole thing.
Which is why you’re a good poisson !!
I try to be (most of the time … )
The state in which I live is pro Republican so does my vote really matter? Will my vote actually change things for the better? I don’t think so.
One vote may not seem like much but many votes do a lot. That’s why you need to vote. That’s why everyone needs to vote. Many grains of sand, etc. Every vote counts, every vote adds to the total, to the whole, to the victory.
In Colorado, Lauren Bobert (R) won her first election to Congress by just 546 votes. She was so sure of defeat in the next election that she moved clear across the state to a more secure Republican district.
My current Republican representative is considered one of the most vulnerable in Congress, so a vote against him will be critical. He won by fewer than 3,000 votes and his seat is rated a toss-up. Lots of out-of-state money is coming in to support him, and I really resent that. It’s our election, it’s my district, it’s my representation in Congress. You’d better believe I’ll be voting!
Please, Musicman, please vote. Voting is the only way to change your pro Republican state.