Primary Election Day is finally here, and as you get ready to cast your vote, here are some important things you need to know. From what to bring to the polls to why you should vote, here’s your guide to voting in this primary election.
First, if you are still on the fence about voting in the primary, the short answer is yes, you should vote. In Texas, there are districts that have clear leanings and the Republican or Democratic party will win no matter who the candidate is. So you should at least vote for your preferred candidates in the primary to make sure they’ll make it to the general election.
Texas primaries are open, meaning you don’t have to be a registered member of a party to vote in its primary, but you can only vote in one primary, not both.
Voting hours are from 7am to 7pm, and you can check your county’s website for polling place information. Polling locations can change, so be sure to check your county’s official website before you go to vote.
To vote, you’ll need one valid photo ID, including: a state driver’s license, a Texas election identification certificate, a Texas personal identification card, a Texas license to carry a handgun, a U.S. military ID card with a personal photo, a U.S. citizenship certificate with a personal photo or a U.S. passport.
In Texas, voters will have the opportunity to select candidates for:
- 1 U.S. Senator (Ted Cruz’s seat)
- 1 of 3 Railroad Commissioners
- 15 State Senators
- 7 State Board of Education members
- 3 members of the Texas Supreme Court
- 3 members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- 5 Chief Justices and more justices for the Texas Courts of Appeals.
Voters will also have the opportunity to choose candidates for both U.S. and Texas representatives.
Some interesting races in these primaries on the Republican side will be for those House members targeted by Paxton and Abbott for supporting the impeachment of the AG or for not supporting school vouchers. These races could move the House further to the right.
On the Democratic side, the most interesting race will be who challenges Senator Ted Cruz in the general election. A recent poll showed Colin Allred and Roland Gutierrez in a statistical tie with Cruz, so either candidate could be a strong match for the incumbent senator.
At the polls, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the list of registered voters due to an administrative problem. You also have the right to receive instructions on how to vote, to request an additional ballot if you make a mistake, and to request interpretation, assistance, or accommodations while voting.
When you go to vote, you should be aware that cell phones, cameras, computers, and other devices capable of recording video, images, or sound may not be used within 100 feet of the polling place. Firearms are also prohibited in polling places.
If you have more questions, you should check Vote Texas’ website for more information. Additionally, you can use the Houston Chronicle’s ballot lookup tool for more info about candidates.
