HOUSTON — March 5 is Primary Election Day in Texas and there are plenty of key contests for voters to get their say in. The race for president will top the ballot and there are many other national, state and local races, including the hotly-contested race for Harris County district attorney between incumbent Kim Ogg and Sean Teare. Key races to represent Texas in the House and Senate will also take shape as the voters decide which candidates will move forward to the November elections.
There is a big change this year for voters in Harris County. For the first time there, Republican and Democrat voters will cast ballots using the same equipment at the same polling sites for the Primary Election, according to County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth.
We want to make sure you have all the information you need when you head to the polls. Below are key dates, voting locations, sample ballots and so much more.
Where to vote
When do polls close? When do polls open?
According to the Secretary of State's office all polls in Texas open at 7 a.m. on March 5. All close at 7 p.m. If you're still in line when polls close at 7 p.m., you will still be able to cast your vote.
Sample ballots
On the ballot
You can see specifics for your county in the sample ballots above. Here are some of the key races.
President
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is seeking a second term. Seven other Democrats are challenging the president in hopes of becoming this year's nominee.
Meanwhile, on the Republican ticket, former president Donald Trump is also hoping for a second term. Three other Republicans remain in the race, hoping to be chosen as the nominee instead.
Democratic candidates:
Republican candidates:
U.S. Senate
Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is seeking a third term. Two other Republicans are challenging him. Meanwhile, nine candidates are running for the Democratic ticket.
Democratic candidates:
Republican candidates:
- Ted Cruz (incumbent)
- Rufus Lopez
- Holland "Redd" Gibson
U.S. House of Representatives
Sheila Jackson Lee tries to retain her seat in the U.S. House. She faces a challenge from former Houston city councilmember Amanda Edwards in the primary.
Democratic candidates
- Sheila Jackson Lee (incumbent)
- Amanda Edwards
- Robert Slater
Republican candidates
Harris County District Attorney
Kim Ogg is up against Sean Teare in the Democratic primary. Ogg is going for her third term, going up against Teare, who she hired in her first term.
Democratic candidates
- Kim Ogg (Incumbent)
- Sean Teare
Republican candidates
2024 election dates and deadlines
- Feb. 20, 2024: First day of early voting in March 5 primary elections
- Feb. 23, 2024: Last day to receive ballot by mail
- March 1, 2024: Last day of early voting in March 5 primary elections
- March 5, 2024: Primary Election Day
- March 5, 2024: The last day to receive a ballot by mail is March 5 at 7 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (the next business day after Primary Election Day) at 5 p.m. if envelop is postmarked by 7 p.m. at the location on Primary Election Day. (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)
Requirements to vote in Texas
State law requires you to register 30 days before the election in which you wish to vote. An applicant’s spouse, parent, or child (acting as an agent) may complete and sign a voter registration application as long as they are a registered voter or have applied for voter registration.
- You must be a United States citizen.
- You must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
- Have not been declared totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction
- If convicted of a felony, you must have fully completed the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole or supervision; or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote.
How do I find out if I'm registered to vote?
- Anyone can check their registration in less than two minutes through the Texas Secretary of State. All you need is your name, county and date of birth. More voter registration information in Texas.
- Specifically, for Harris County, you can verify your voter registration information on HarrisVotes.org. Simply click on "Voter Registration," then select "Voter Registration Search." By inputting your name or address, you can find your voter registration record.
Voter ID requirements
If you've confirmed you are registered, but don't have or never received your voter registration card, here's what you need to know. Under Texas law, voters can use one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification at the polls when voting in person.
- Texas driver's 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 ID card with photo
- United States citizenship certificate with photo
- United States passport (book or card)
Voters who don't have and can't "reasonably obtain" one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check or a voter registration certificate.
Who can vote by mail in Texas?
If you plan to vote by mail, you must meet certain criteria to qualify.
- You are 65 years or older on Election Day
- You are sick or disabled
- You will be out of your county during the early voting period and on Election Day
- You are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- You are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible
Download and print application for mail ballot: English - Spanish - Vietnamese - Chinese
If you have other questions about the mail-in ballot process click here.
Tracking your mail ballot
Once you’ve sent your ballot by mail to your county’s early voting clerk, you can check the status of your mail-in ballot through the Ballot by Mail Tracker, available on the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal.
You must enter the following information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- Your Driver’s License or Department of Public Safety Personal ID number
- Your residential address (must appear exactly as listed on your voter registration record. To look up the address listed on your voter registration record, use the ‘Am I Registered?’ tool)
- City
- ZIP code
How to correct a defect on your application for ballot by mail
If you received a notice (PDF) that your application for a mail ballot (ABBM) was rejected because you did not provide an identification number or the number included on your ABBM did not match one of the numbers associated with your voter registration record, you can correct the error online through the Texas Secretary of State's Ballot by Mail Tracker. When you log in to the Ballot by Mail Tracker, you will be prompted to enter your personal identification number(s). Once your personal identification number is validated, the ABBM you previously submitted will be processed.
To utilize the Ballot by Mail Tracker, you must enter:
- Your Texas Driver’s License Number or Texas Personal Identification Number, AND
- The last four digits of your social security number
AND - Your residence address as listed in your voter registration record
If you received a notice that your ABBM was rejected for another reason, you may be able to correct the error by submitting a new ABBM (PDF) to your county's early voting clerk with the corrected information.
If you have specific questions about your registration or the status of your ABBM, you should contact your county.