Texas Primary Election Day 2024: What you need to know

Texas: The Issue Is - 2024 Primary Election Special

The 2024 Texas Primary Election is here. The Texas Trio break down the key races across the state, including Colin Allred's push to take on Ted Cruz in November's Senate race and the civil war between Republicans.

Super Tuesday is finally here!

Texas is one of 16 primaries and caucuses happening across the U.S. on Tuesday.

If you are heading out to vote, here are some things you should know about the process and what you need to bring.

Texas Primary Election Day

Election Day for the 2024 Texas primary is Tuesday, March 5.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m.

If you are in line at 7 p.m. you will still be allowed to vote.

What is a primary?

A primary is used by political parties to select candidates for the general election.

Voters will pick either a Democratic or Republican ballot and pick who they want to be that party's nominee.

The winners of the primary election will be on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 general election.

Is Texas an open or closed primary?

Texas is one of 17 states with an open primary.

That means during primary elections you will be able to select if you want a Democratic or Republican primary ballot. That means Democrats can vote in the Republican primary and vice versa, if they want to.

If you vote in one primary, you will have to vote with that party in the event of a runoff election.

Your choices during the primary do not restrict how you can vote in the general election.

When are the runoff elections?

If no candidate receives a majority vote in the primary election (50% + 1 vote), then the top two candidates will have a runoff election.

Runoffs are scheduled for May 28.

Find your county polling places and sample ballots

What photo ID do I need to vote?

In order to vote in person on election day, Texas voters will be asked to present an acceptable form of photo ID. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

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)

Except for the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one:

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)

Click here for more information on acceptable forms of ID and what you can do if you do not have one.

Military and overseas voters

Click here for all the details on special provisions for military and overseas voters.

Voters with special needs

Click here for the special needs information on the state's election website to ensure that you are fully informed on the services available to you.

Student voters

Student voters often seek advice regarding residency issues for voter registration purposes. For more information, click here.

Convicted felons

In Texas, a convicted felon regains the right to vote after completing his or her sentence. Therefore, once you have completed the punishment phase (including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by the court), you would be eligible to register and vote in the state of Texas.

County Election Information

If you have questions about your ballot, voting locations or anything else ask your county election's office.