Texas Primary and Delegate Rules
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Texas primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.
Quick Answer
- Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open; Democratic state: Open; Republican presidential: Open; Republican state: Open.
- Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
- Democratic delegates: 272 total, 244 pledged, 28 unpledged, 20 alternates.
- Republican delegates: 161 total, 161 pledged, 0 unpledged, 158 alternates.
Texas Primary Election Types
| Party | Contest | Primary type |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Presidential | Open |
| Democratic | State | Open |
| Republican | Presidential | Open |
| Republican | State | Open |
Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling
Consolidated Primaries: Yes
Texas is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primary and State primary are scheduled to run on the same days
A registered voter is not required to pre-register or take any steps towards affiliating themselves with a party before voting in a party’s primary election. (§162.003) Additionally, when a person registers to vote in Texas, they do not register with any kind of party affiliation.
Texas Presidential Delegate Allocation
The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.
| Party | Total delegate votes | Pledged | Unpledged | Alternates | Allocation method | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 272 | 244 | 28 | 20 | Proportional | 15% minimum vote required |
| Republican Party | 161 | 161 | 0 | 158 | Winner-Take-Most | Not specified |
Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process
Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation
The Democratic party will send a total of 272 Delegate Votes (244 Pledged, 28 unpledged) and 20 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 159
- At-large Delegates: 53
- Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 32
- Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 28
- Alternate Delegates: 20
Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown
- DNC Members: 16
- Dem. Members of Congress: 12
- Dem. Governors: 0
- Distinguished Party Leaders: 0
Republican Party Primary Delegates Process
Republican Party's Delegates Allocation
The Republican party will send a total of 161 Delegate Votes (114 district-level, 44 at-large, 3 RNC) and 158 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. 114 district delegates are to be allocated to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the 38 congressional districts: each congressional district is assigned 3 National Convention delegates.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 114
- At-large Delegates: 44
- RNC Delegates: 3
- Alternate Delegates: 158
About These Rules
This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.
Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.Sources and Related Election Pages
The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: