Texas early voting kicks off ahead of March 5 primary

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texans began heading to the polls Tuesday on the first day of early voting ahead of the March 5 primary, in which voters will choose which candidates will represent the Democratic and Republican parties on the ballot in November’s general election.

Voter turnout in previous primary years is historically low. In the 2022 primary, nearly 18% of all registered Texas voters cast their ballot. Turnout was higher in 2020 for the presidential election, with about 25% of registered Texas voters participated in the general election. In the 2018 primary election, about 17% of registered voters turned out.

Brian Smith, a politics professor at St. Edward’s University, said what happens in the Republican primary race could have a big impact on turnout for the Texas primary.

"We don't have competitive presidential elections on either side of the ballots. So you're gonna have much lower turnout," he said. "Independents aren't going to come out to vote as much as they would. People who have weaker partisanship — meaning not your super-Democrats or super-Republicans — are going to be more likely to stay at home, so that’s going to mean lower turnout."

Which primary can I vote in?

Texas is an open primary state, which means you don’t have to be a registered Democrat or Republican to vote in that party’s primary.

When you get the polls, you’ll be asked which primary you’d like to vote in. You can only vote in one party’s primary.

If no candidate in a race gets at least 50% of the vote, the race will advance to a runoff on May 28. If you voted in the primary, you can only vote for the same party in the runoff. For example, if you voted in the Democratic primary, you cannot vote in a Republican runoff, and vice versa. If you don’t vote in the primary, you can choose which runoff to vote in.

Voters will choose which candidates they want to win the presidential nominations for the Republican and Democratic parties. Also on the ballot will be candidates for U.S. Senate.

There are several other races for state office, including railroad commissioner, state senators and representatives, members of the State Board of Education, the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Court of Appeals.

Early voting runs from Feb. 20 through March 1. Election Day is Tuesday, March 5. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Friday, Feb. 23.

Christopher Adams contributed to this report.