Austin-area voters cast ballots in the 2026 Texas election. See Election Day photos. Austin American-Statesman. Photos show Austin-area voters casting ballots in the 2026 Texas election, including races for governor, U.S. James Talarico, a state legislator, is trying to become the first Democrat in more than three decades to win a statewide election in Texas. He is facing Ken Paxton, the Republican state.