With the early voting period coming to an end, the March 3 primary election nears, when Texas Republican and Democratic voters will pick which candidate they want to represent their interests and their party on the ballot for the November general election.
In each race, the candidate who wins more than half of the votes will face the winning candidate from the other party in the November general election. If no candidate gets a majority of votes in a primary race, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff election on May 26.
Voters should know a few things before heading to the polls about what they’ll need to make the process as seamless as possible.
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person for all Texas elections.
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Voters without an approved photo ID can still vote by signing a “reasonable impediment” form and presenting valid supporting identification documents, such as a birth certificate, voter registration certificate or a current utility bill with name and address.
If using a state ID or driver’s license, the address listed does not have to match the voter’s current address. A voter can also cast a provisional ballot, which can be counted only if they present the required photo ID or documents within six days.
The Senate seat is a high profile race in both the Democratic and Republican primary. For the Democrats, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico are bringing many voters to the polls. And the seven Republicans – including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep Wesley Hunt – running against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term, are bringing plenty of attention to their race.
The positions of federal, state, and local offices up for election are as follows:
Federal
- One U.S. Senator
- All U.S. representatives under new congressional maps after they were redrawn in 2025
Statewide races
- Texas Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Commissioner of General Land Office
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- One Railroad Commissioner
- Four members of the Texas Supreme Court
- Three members of the Court of Criminal Appeals
- Three members of the 15th Court of Appeals
State-regional district-based races
- Eight members of State Board of Education
- Sixteen State Senators for districts
- All 150 State Representatives
- Several Chief Justices of Court of Appeals
- Various regional Courts of Appeals Judges
Local county offices & lower-level judges
- County Courts at Law
- Justices of the Peace
- District Clerks
- County Clerks
- County Treasurers
- County Surveyors
- County Commissioners (precincts 2 and 4)
- Various district judges, including on criminal and family courts
If you’re voting by mail within the U.S., your ballot must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and received by your county by 5 p.m. on March 4 to be counted.
Further poll rules are that cellphones, cameras, computers and other devices that can record sound or images cannot be used within 100 feet of voting stations (where ballots are marked). There are usually traffic cones or signs indicating this. Campaigning, including wearing clothing or other items that publicize candidates, political parties or measures on the ballot, is also banned beyond this point.
