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Elections Ballotpedia is covering in March 2026

By

Ellie Mikus

In March 2026, Ballotpedia is tracking 33 elections across 13 states. These include 24 special elections to fill vacancies in 10 states and one recall election.

Last month, Ballotpedia tracked 27 elections across 14 states. This included one statewide election, 21 special elections, four local elections, and one recall election.

In March 2024, Ballotpedia tracked elections in 18 states, and in March 2022, Ballotpedia tracked elections in 12 states.

Upcoming elections:
This month, the following states have regularly scheduled statewide elections:

The following municipalities have local elections:

The following special elections have been called:

The following recall elections have been called:

  • March 3, 2026: School board member Kenny King in Deer-Mount Judea School District, Arkansas

In context:
March will feature the first statewide congressional primaries of the year. Here’s a look at each state holding congressional primaries this month.

Arkansas
Arkansas is holding elections for one U.S. Senate seat and all four of its House seats. Both the Democratic and Republican U.S. Senate primaries are contested. There are two contested Democratic House primaries and one contested Republican House primary.

According to the Arkansas Advocate’s Tess Vrbin,“Arkansas’ four U.S. House seats have been held by Republicans since 2013. Democrats have portrayed the 2nd District as winnable given its diversity and youth, but have fallen short in efforts to reclaim the seat. The majority-GOP Legislature redrew the district in 2021, moving thousands of predominantly Black voters out of the 2nd District. Arkansas’ other three Republican Congressmen have no primary opponents, but all will have a Democratic opponent in November.”

Heading into the 2026 elections, both of Arkansas’ U.S. senators and all four U.S. Representatives are Republicans. 

North Carolina
North Carolina is holding elections for one Senator and all 14 of its U.S. Representatives. Both Senate primaries are contested. There are 11 contested Democratic House primaries and eight contested Republican House primaries. This is the most contested Democratic primaries since 2014. 

The North Carolina General Assembly redrew the state’s congressional map in October 2025. The new map aims to shift the 1st District, which U.S. Rep. Donald Davis (D) currently represents, toward Republicans.

Ballotpedia identified two congressional primaries as battlegrounds.

Heading into the elections, both of North Carolina’s Senators are Republicans. Four of the states' U.S. House Representatives are Democrats, and 10 are Republicans. 

Texas
Texas is holding elections for one U.S. Senator and all 38 of its U.S. House seats. Both Senate primaries are contested. There are 31 contested Democratic House primaries and 28 contested Republican House primaries. This is a record for both parties dating back to at least 2014.

The Texas Legislature passed, and Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed, a new congressional map in August 2025. The new map shifted five Democratic districts toward Republicans, according to 2024 presidential results.

In a recent episode of Ballotpedia’s On The Ballot, the Texas Tribune’s Gabby Birenbaum said: “In multiple districts, you had multiple Democratic incumbents drawn into the same district…This is going to be a massive opportunity for Republicans … to make that jump to Congress. So you have a lot of interest in these seats. There’s going to be competitive Republican primaries in the open seats. And you had a lot of members sort of scrambling to figure out where to run. Multiple members of the delegation [are] jumping to run for higher office or to run for local office in Texas. And so it’s really scrambled the delegation.” 

Ballotpedia identified 17 congressional primaries as battlegrounds.

Heading into the 2026 elections, both of Texas’ Senators are Republicans. Texas has 23 Republican U.S. House members and 13 Democratic House members. 

Illinois
Illinois is holding elections for one Senator and all 17 of its U.S. Representatives. Both Senate primaries are contested. There are nine contested Democratic House primaries and 11 contested Republican House primaries. This ties with 2022 for the most contested Republican primaries in a single year since 2014. 

According to Capitol News Illinois’ Brenden Moore, “There are more candidates running for Congress than usual on account of a once-in-a-generation turnover among Democratic elected officials. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement set off a domino effect, with two Democratic incumbents — Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg — giving up their seats in bids to succeed him in the upper chamber.”

Ballotpedia identified four congressional primaries as battlegrounds.

Heading into the 2026 elections, both of Illinois’ U.S. Senators are Democrats. Fourteen of Illinois’ U.S. Representatives are Democrats, and three are Republicans.

Mississippi
Mississippi is holding elections for one U.S. Senator and all four of its U.S. Representatives. Both Senate primaries are contested. In Mississippi’s U.S. House elections, there are two contested Democratic primaries and two contested Republican primaries. 

Ballotpedia identified one congressional primary as a battleground.

Heading into the 2026 elections, both of Mississippi’s U.S. Senators are Republicans. Mississippi has three Republican U.S. Representatives and one Democratic U.S. Representative. 

Additional reading:

This promo post was compiled by Ellie Mikus, with contributions from Glorie Martinezand Lara Bonatesta.