With midterms just around the corner along with state and local elections, the 2022 primaries are shaping up to be a big year for Texas politics. The March primary will be used to select party nominations for national, statewide, and countywide offices to be voted on Election Day.
Here’s an overview of what Texans need to know before casting their ballot:
Check Your Ballot
When voting, voters will be asked which ticket they want to vote on, Republican or Democrat, and they’ll only be allowed to vote in that party’s primary. Voters can only vote in one primary during each election cycle.
- Click here to see a list of 2022 primary candidates and a personalized sample ballot
Check Voter Registration Status/Register to Vote
To vote in the state of Texas you have to be registered to vote. If you’re unsure of your current voter status, you can check your voter registration status here.
If you are unregistered and wish to vote you will need to have completed registration by Monday, Jan. 31. Here are some ways to register:
- You can fill out your registration here and then print and sign your registration form. You must still mail the form to your county election office and it must be postmarked by the Jan. 31 deadline
- If you don’t have a printer you can request an application be mailed to you, but that returned application must also be postmarked by the Jan. 31 deadline
- You can also register to vote through your county registrar
Forms of ID
Once you’re registered, you’ll still need a valid ID to vote in the state of Texas. The state accepts seven forms of identification:
- A Texas driver’s license
- Texas election ID certificate
- Texas ID card
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. Citizenship certificate with a photo
- U.S. Military ID with a photo
- U.S. Passport
If you do not have a photo ID, you may qualify for a Reasonable Impediment Declaration by showing a copy or an original of one of the following:
- Certified domestic birth certificate or court admissible birth document
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Government document with your name and address including your voter registration certificate
Polling Places Near Me
County election offices are required to post on their websites information on polling locations for election day and during the early voting period by Feb. 8. The secretary of state’s website will also have information on polling locations closer to the start of voting.
Important Dates
- Early voting for the upcoming March primary election begins Monday, Feb. 14
- Early voting runs through Feb. 14 – Feb. 25
- The last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) is Friday, Feb. 18
- Mail-in ballots must be received by March 1
- General Election Day (in person) for the March primaries will be on March 1
Voters with questions about how to cast a ballot in the upcoming March primary election can visit VoteTexas.gov for more information.