May Matters urges Texans to turn out for runoff voting

By AI, Created 1:51 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – May Matters is pressing the 4.29 million Texans who voted in March to show up again for the May 26 primary runoff, warning that low turnout can give a small share of voters outsized power. The coalition says this runoff will decide 38 races and shape state policy on taxes, schools, healthcare and energy costs.

Why it matters: - Runoff elections can be decided by a small slice of the electorate, giving each ballot far more weight than in a typical midterm. - May Matters says the May 26 runoff will help determine leadership and policy direction on issues that affect Texas families directly.

What happened: - May Matters, a nonpartisan civic education coalition, is urging Texans who voted in March to participate in today’s primary runoff election. - The coalition says it helped drive record-breaking March primary turnout in Texas. - Marjorie Clifton, co-founder of May Matters, said the runoff is a continuation of the group’s work and may be the most powerful vote first-time primary voters ever cast. - May Matters is telling its 400-plus partner network that runoff votes carry 27 times the impact of a midterm vote.

The details: - In the 2022 Texas primary runoff, roughly 7% of registered voters decided the outcome, a drop of more than 50% from the primary. - This year’s runoff will decide 38 races, including U.S. Senate, attorney general, lieutenant governor and dozens of legislative seats. - Winners will help set policy on property taxes, school funding, healthcare and energy costs. - Early turnout data points to momentum in some places, including Smith County, but most Texas counties had not yet reported early voting numbers. - Election Day falls the morning after Memorial Day, which May Matters says could hurt participation. - May Matters is asking employers and faith and community leaders to remind people that Election Day voting runs until 7 p.m. - The group is directing people to free tools and information for sharing voter reminders.

Between the lines: - The coalition is trying to convert March’s higher primary engagement into runoff turnout before holiday timing and voter fatigue reduce participation. - The 27-times-impact message is designed to make the stakes feel immediate for first-time voters who may assume the primary contest is already over.

What’s next: - May Matters expects turnout levels to become clearer as more Texas counties report early voting data. - The coalition’s partner network will continue pushing election-day reminders through the end of voting. - Marjorie Clifton is available for interviews throughout the day.

The bottom line: - May Matters is betting that a simple turnout reminder can help decide who wins key Texas races — and how much influence first-time voters keep after March.