By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
Early voting for the 2026 General Election began Monday, October 19, 2026, and concludes this evening, October 30, 2026, locally at the San Benito Community Building, 210 E. Heywood Street. Election Day is Tuesday, October 2026.
Election Day polling hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Registered voters can vote at any precinct in Cameron County. A valid form of identification is required to vote in Texas.
In San Benito, Election Day polling places include Ed Downs Elementary, Fred Booth Elementary, La Encantada Elementary, La Paloma Middle School, the San Benito Community Building on Heywood Street, and Sullivan Environmental Science Academy.
Other Early Voting and Election Day polling places include the Los Indios Community Center at 309 Heywood St., Los Indios; the Rio Hondo Municipal Center at 121 N. Arroyo Blvd., Rio Hondo; and the Los Fresnos Community Center at 204 N. Brazil St., Los Fresnos.
Local races include Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, pitting Gilbert Garcia, Jr. (REP), against local Jessica Alvarado Gonzales (DEM).
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1, pits local Esteban “Steve” Rodriguez (REP) against Rio Hondo Noe Alaniz Jr. (DEM).
Meanwhile, for Cameron County Judge, Mauro Garza (REP) faces Esteban “Steve” Guerra (DEM).
At the State Board of Education, District 2, Victoria Hinojosa (REP) faces Thomas Ray Garcia (DEM).
In District 34, United States Representative Eric Flores (REP) faces incumbent Vicente Gonzalez (DEM), Chris Royal (LIB), and the Upper Valley’s Eddie Espinoza (GRN).
San Benito’s Janie Lopez (REP), a former San Benito CISD Board Trustee, seeks to retain her District 37 State Senate seat against challenger Oziel Ochoa Jr. (DEM).
Meanwhile, in the heated Cameron County Clerk’s race, Ricardo “Rick” Herrera (REP) is challenging incumbent Sylvia Garza (DEM).
In the Cameron County Treasurer’s race, Lucy Jeannette Gonzales (REP) faces Jonathan Gracia (DEM).
The only competitive race on the Cameron County Appraisal District Board of Directors pits Ricky “Ricardo” de la Garza against Jason Holley for the Place 2 seat.
For 107th Judicial District, Frank Lozano (REP) faces favorite Noe Garza (DEM).
In one of the most closely watched federal races, Ken Paxton (REP) is competing against James Talarico (DEM) and Ted Brown (LIB) for U.S. Senate.
In the race for Texas Governor, incumbent Greg Abbott (REP) faces Brownsville’s own Gina Hinojosa (DEM) and Pat Dixon (LIB).
Finally, for State Representative, District 35, Oscar Rosa (REP) is challenging incumbent Oscar Longoria (DEM).
As of Wednesday’s reporting, 63,070 ballots were cast in Cameron County, and the San Benito Community Building reported 5,381 voters at that location alone.
Rio Hondo recorded 1,328 ballots cast at that location, and Los Indios tallied 297, according to the Cameron County Department of Elections.
For more information, visit Cameronvotes.com or call (956) 544-0809.