It's that time again where your vote counts. Early voting for primary elections in Texas runs from Tuesday, February 18 - Friday, February 28.
Election Day is Tuesday, March 3.
On the first day of early voting, Smith County alone had more than 700 people at the polls before 1:00 p.m.
Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says she believes early voting is more convenient for people.
"In my experience, people love to vote early. It gives people the opportunity to pick what fits their schedule," Nelson said.
Here's everything you need to know before hitting the polls.
Are you registered to vote?
You must be registered in order to vote in Texas. You can check online to view your registration status.
How do you register?
In most Texas counties, the County Tax Assessor-Collector is also the County Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or County Elections Administrator registers voters. You may obtain an application from the County Voter Registrar's office, the Secretary of State's Office, libraries, many post offices, or high schools. You can also go online and request an official one to be sent to you. Or, you may download an informal application, but you will be required to affix a stamp before mailing. You may also register to vote when you apply for or renew your driver's license.
Read the instructions on the form, fill it out and mail it postage-free to the County Voter Registrar, or hand-deliver it to the County Voter Registrar's office.
The application must be received in the County Voter Registrar's office or postmarked 30 days before an election in order for you to be eligible to vote in that election. You will receive a voter registration certificate in the mail after the County Voter Registrar has processed your voter registration application.
What to take to the polling site
When you head to the polls, you need to present one form of identification to cast your ballot.
Here is a list of acceptable forms of photo identification:
- 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 Concealed 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
If you don't have an acceptable form of photo identification and cannot reasonably obtain one, you can bring one the following supporting forms of identification:
- Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Remember: You cannot have clothing or other advertising for a candidate within 100 feet of your polling location. Pictures and videos must also be taken 100 feet outside your polling location as well.
When you can vote
During early voting, polls are open at various times depending on the location. On Election Day, voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What's on the ballot?
In the primary, each party will choose its candidate for U.S. president, U.S. Senate, congressional offices, legislative offices, the State Board of Education, the Railroad Commission and judicial seats.
All Texans will have the opportunity to vote for candidates in statewide races, but other contests will depend on where you live.
For the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas has 36 different congressional districts. At the state level, Texas is divided into 150 House districts, 31 Senate districts and 15 State Board of Education districts.
All U.S. and Texas House districts will have an election this year, as well as one U.S. Senate office – incumbent John Cornyn’s seat – several Texas Senate seats and eight State Board of Education seats.
To find your statewide candidates, enter your address into the primary guide on the Texas Tribune website.
Your personal sample ballot with all local contests can be found on the voter website for the county you live in.
Where to vote
The following are the voting locations across East Texas: