The Tides Are Turning This Election Season

Primaries used to be the sad side salad of American democracy — technically part of the meal, but largely ignored. Now everyone wants a bite. And that shift could change everything about who ends up on your November ballot.

Election season kicked off this week with the Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas Primary Elections on March 3. And the record-breaking turnout suggests a shift in how Americans vote that extends well beyond the borders of these three states. The results point to a growing demand for politicians who don’t simply mirror the views of their most partisan supporters, but instead build coalitions that stretch across party lines.

Participation in the primaries has been unusually high this year. More than 2.5 million Texans voted during early voting alone, beating the previous early-vote record for a Texas primary and putting this election on track to set the state record for a non-presidential midterm primary. What’s more, in Texas, 400,000 people voted in the primaries for the first time. And early numbers show voters under 30 increased by 8% since 2024*. Arkansas and North Carolina also saw strong surges in participation.

The boost in primary turnout could signal a broader shift — not just in how Americans vote, but also in how candidates campaign and the policies they emphasize.

Participation in the primaries (where each party selects its candidate for the November election) is usually very low. Only the most dedicated voters show up. This incentivizes candidates to appeal exclusively to those dedicated voters, who tend to be more ideologically extreme than the typical American. This is leading to a widening gulf between what most Americans want and what candidates campaigned on.

But this year’s record turnout shows that more voters are catching on: if you want less extreme politicians who prioritize the will of the sensible majority, show up in the primaries.

The results of this election demonstrate that when turnout increases in primaries, voters often choose candidates who have “big tent,” reach-across-the-aisle approaches. This is most apparent in wins from politicians like James Talarico, who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, and Roy Cooper, who won it in North Carolina. Talarico emphasizes cross-partisan persuasion and faith-based outreach. Cooper is a moderate Democrat with a record of winning bipartisan support. Both show a growing desire for politicians who are less extreme, have broad appeal, and can win outside their party.

But this is just the beginning. Forty-seven states haven’t held their primaries yet. Up next are Mississippi on March 10, followed by Illinois on March 17. To find out when your primaries are held, check out this chart from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The primaries in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas have sent a strong message: Americans are ready to reclaim their democracy from the extremes. Record turnouts and wins by cross-partisan candidates suggest a genuine appetite for politics built on broad appeal rather than ideological purity.

With so many states still to hold primaries, the pattern is far from settled. But one thing is already clear: when more Americans participate in the primaries, the direction of our politics can start to change.

— Alex Buscemi (abuscemi@buildersmovement.org)

Art by Matthew Lewis

*Under 30 voter data compiled by Ryan Data & Research and Transparency USA.