Texas’ primary election day is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Texas is one of 16 states with an open primary, which means registered voters can cast a ballot in either party’s primary.
Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primaries on March 5 to determine who will be on the ballot in November. If needed, runoff elections will be held on May 28 for races where no candidate wins over 50% of the votes.
Key dates
- Feb. 5: Last day to register to vote or update your information
- Feb. 20: Early voting begins
- Feb. 23: Last day counties can receive applications to vote by mail
- March 1: Early voting ends
- March 5: Primary election day
What you need to know
Texans are required to submit paper voter registration applications. Prospective voters can print an application and mail it to their county’s election office, request an application be mailed to them, or visit their local voter registrar.
Residents may also be able to register to vote when renewing their Texas drivers license or identification card online.
Within 30 days after registering, voters should receive their voter registration certificates in the mail. Certificates contain a voter’s unique identification number, their local voting precinct and information about who represents them at the federal, state and local levels.
Click here to check if you are registered to vote. If you are already registered, you can update your address or name online.
U.S. citizens can register to vote if they will be at least 18 years old by election day, according to the secretary of state’s office. Texans must register in the county they live in.
Convicted felons must complete their sentence, probation and parole before they can register to vote. People deemed mentally incapacitated by a court cannot vote.
To vote by mail in Texas, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You will be age 65 or older on election day.
- You have a sickness or disability that prevents you from voting in person.
- You are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after election day.
- You will be outside your county throughout early voting and on election day.
- You are in jail but otherwise eligible to vote (convicted felons cannot vote).
Visit the secretary of state’s website for more information about mail-in voting.
On the ballot
This year, Texans can cast their votes in the presidential election and a variety of federal, state and local races. Fifteen state Senate seats are up for election as well as all seats in the U.S. and Texas Houses.
Eight statewide races will be on all voters’ ballots, including one for a U.S. Senate seat held by incumbent Ted Cruz, one for Texas Railroad commissioner, three for Texas Supreme Court justices and three for members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. All eight seats are held by Republican incumbents who are running for re-election.
Local positions, such as sheriffs, county tax assessors, county commissioners and justices of the peace will appear on the ballot in some communities.
