HOUSTON — Unlike some other states, Texas has open primaries. What does that mean? When you register to vote in the Lone Star state you don’t have to pick a party.
When it comes to primaries, you can show up at the polls and a worker will ask you which primary you want to vote in. They will give you a ballot for that party and you can make your choices. In states with a closed primary system, you can only vote if you are registered with that particular party.
You do have to make a choice, though. You can’t vote in both primaries, and you have to stick with that party for the election cycle. This just means if there is a runoff in that primary, you can only vote in the runoff of the party you voted for in the primary. For example, if you voted in the Republican primary you can only vote in the Republican primary runoff. This year’s primary runoff is May 28.
It is also important to vote in primaries. They tend to attract fewer voters, which means your vote makes a much bigger impact. According to Texas Public Radio, political watchers also say that low turnout can lead to more political polarization. Often the people who show up to the polls in primaries are the more die-hard members of the parties, and candidates are pushed to the more extreme ends of their parties to appeal to those primary voters.