Texas Ballot Guide
The Texas primary election is on Tuesday, March 1! Here’s what you need to know.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Voter Registration Deadline
January 31, 2022.
Deadline to Request Mail Ballot
February 18, 2022
Deadline to Return Mail Ballot
- If hand-delivering your ballot: By March 1, 2022.
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- If mailing your ballot: Postmarked by 7 p.m. March 1, 2022, and received by 5 p.m. March 2, 2022.
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Early Voting
Monday, February 14 – Friday, February 25.
Hours and specific days available vary based on location.
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Election Day Voting
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 – 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Voter Registration
Voter Registration Requirements
In Texas, you are eligible to register to vote if:
- You are a United States citizen;
- You are a resident of the county where you submit the application;
- You are at least 17 years and 10 months old, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day;
- You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and
- You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
How do I register to vote?
To register to vote in Texas, complete a voter registration application and return it to your county election office at least 30 days before the upcoming election date.
To complete an application, you may:
- Register in person at your county Voter Registrar’s office.
- Complete an application using the SOS ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION. You must fill in the required information, print, sign, and mail directly to your county election office. You are not registered until you have filled out the online application, printed it, signed it, and mailed it to your local County Voter Registrar. Your County’s Voter Registrar will then process your application, and your registration becomes effective 30 days after it is submitted (and accepted) by the County Voter Registrar.
- You may request a postage-paid application from your voter registrar, by filling out this form so that a voter registration application can be mailed to you. You must mail the voter registration application to the voter registrar in your county of residence.
Can I register to vote online?
Texas does not offer online voter registration. Your voter application must be postmarked or received by the voter registrar’s office at least 30 days before an election.
What if I’m registered, but I need to update my name or address?
If you’ve registered to vote previously, but have moved counties or had a name change, you can find more information about your voter registration here.
Can I register to vote when I show up at the polls? (Same-day registration)
Texas does not offer same-day voter registration. The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before an election. For the March 1 primary, this was January 31, 2022.
Can I vote if I’ve been convicted of a felony?
In Texas, people with felony convictions can vote when they are “off papers.” This means the right to vote is restored upon completion of your sentence, including parole and probation, and fines, costs, or restitution. Find more info about registering to vote here.
My registration status says “Suspense” — what does that mean and can I still vote?
Suspense means that the registrar is not certain of your residential address. A voter whose status is in suspense is eligible to vote in an election provided that the voter completes a Statement of Residence either when voting by mail or at the polls prior to voting (within the same county as the voter’s current registration) or (if the voter has moved to a new county) completes a Limited Ballot application during Early Voting at the main early voting polling place. For more information, please click here.
Voting In-Person
How does primary voting work?
Primary elections are used to designate who will be a party’s candidate in the general election in each race, so you’ll be selecting among members of the same party in casting your vote.
At the polls, you’ll have to choose whether you want to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary. Some counties will host what’s known as a joint primary, which means everyone checks in at the same desk and uses the same voting machines. In other counties, there will be separate check-in stations and lines for either party.
Do I have to show a photo ID when I vote?
When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID (listed below):
- 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
- The United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- The United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Additionally, while not required, it is highly recommended that you bring your voter registration certificate with you to vote.
My ID is expired. Can I still use it to vote?
With the exception of 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.
I forgot my ID – can I still vote in person?
If you possess, but did not bring to the polling place, one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo identification with you when you vote in person, you may cast a “provisional ballot” at the polling location instead of a regular ballot, or you may return to the polling place before the polls close on Election Day with your acceptable form of photo identification and vote a regular ballot at that time.
In order to have the provisional ballot counted in the election, you will have to visit the county voter registrar’s office by the sixth calendar day after Election Day. At the county voter registrar’s office, you will have to show one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo identification listed above, or, if you qualify, submit a natural disaster temporary affidavit referenced above. If you present a proper form of photo identification or submit the natural disaster temporary affidavit, the provisional ballot will be counted.
I requested a mail-in/absentee ballot – can I still vote in person?
You can still vote in person if you requested, but did not return a Vote By Mail ballot.
If you received your ballot in the mail, you’ll need to bring it and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided.
If you don’t have your ballot or never received it, you will be able to cast a provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted once the county determines it never received your Vote by Mail ballot.
I waited until the last minute and didn’t return my absentee ballot, what now?
You can still vote in person by bringing your Vote by Mail ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided.
You can also complete your Vote by Mail ballot and hand-deliver it to the Early Voting Clerk on Election Day while the polls are open. You’ll need to show your ID and sign a form to hand-deliver your ballot.
How do I find my polling place?
You can find polling locations here.
What accessible voting options are there?
In every federal election, each polling place will offer at least one type of accessible voting equipment or Direct Record Electronic (“DRE”) device. This equipment allows voters with disabilities to vote directly on the system or assist them in marking the paper ballot.
If a voter is physically unable to enter the polling place, they may ask that an election officer bring a ballot to the entrance of the polling place or to a car parked at the curbside. After the voter marks the ballot, they will give it to the election officer, who will put it in the ballot box. Or, at the voter’s request, a companion may hand the voter a ballot and deposit it for them.
Tell the election official if you are a voter who needs help to vote. You do not have to provide proof of your disability. Voters are entitled to receive assistance if they:
- Cannot read or write; or
- Have a physical disability that prevents them from reading or marking the ballot; or
- Cannot speak English, or communicate only with sign language, and want assistance in communicating with election officials.
Voters may be assisted by:
- Any person the voter chooses who is not an election worker;
- Two election workers on Election Day; or
- One election worker during early voting.
Voters MAY NOT be assisted by:
- Their employer;
- An agent of their employer; or
- An officer or agent of their union.
More information can be found here.
When and where can I vote early in person?
Early voting runs from February 14 to February 25.
You can find early voting locations here.
NOTE: Polling place hours vary at each early voting location.
What do I do if I need a ride to the polls?
You can visit here or call 888-858-3421 to request a ride to the polls.
Voting by Mail and Absentee
Who can vote by mail?
To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:
- be 65 years or older;
- be sick or disabled;
- be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
Where can you request to vote by mail?
Those who are eligible to vote by mail (according to the requirements listed above) can request an application for a ballot by mail here.
When is the deadline to request to vote by mail?
Applications requesting a ballot by mail must be received by Friday, February 18, 2022, for the March 1 primary election.
Where can I return an absentee or vote-by-mail ballot?
You can either mail your ballot back following the directions on your ballot by mail or hand-deliver it to your Early Voting Clerk on Election Day. You must show your photo ID.
You can find information for your county here.
Are there other requirements to apply to vote by mail, like witnesses or a Secretary of State account?
A mail application must be submitted in writing and signed in ink — electronic signatures, photocopied signatures, or signatures in pencil are NOT allowed.
Will I be notified if there is an error with my ballot after I have voted it?
Your county may contact you if you need to fix an error with your application or ballot, so please provide your contact information on your Vote By Mail application so you can be notified if any changes need to be made.
If the early voting ballot board determines that it is possible for you to correct the defect and return the envelope by mail before the polls close, they will mail the envelope back to you.
If it is determined that you cannot receive and return the envelope by the time the polls close, you will be contacted by telephone or email to correct the defect. You have until the sixth day after Election Day to correct a defect in person.
Statewide Elections and Candidates:
To find a sample ballot with information on all candidates on your ballot, including local candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, Texas House and Senate, and State Board of Education, click here.
Governor
The governor of Texas is the chief executive of the state, and is elected by the citizens of Texas every four years. The governor has the ability to sign and veto bills passed by state legislature, serves as the commander-in-chief of the Texas military forces, appoints the Texas Secretary of State, and more. To learn more about the governor position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Inocencio “Inno” Barrientez – Democrat
Michael Cooper – Democrat
Joy Diaz – Democrat
Beto O’Rourke – Democrat
Rich Wakeland – Democrat
Greg Abbott (Incumbent) – Republican
Paul Belew – Republican
Danny Harrison – Republican
Kandy Kaye Horn – Republican
Don Huffines – Republican
Rick Perry – Republican
Chad Prather – Republican
Allen West – Republican
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive of Texas, and presides over the Texas state Senate. The lieutenant governor is elected by the citizens of Texas every four years. To learn more about the lieutenant governor position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Michelle Beckley – Democrat
Carla Brailey – Democrat
Mike Collier – Democrat
Trayce Bradford – Republican
Todd M. Bullis – Republican
Daniel Miller – Republican
Dan Patrick (Incumbent) – Republican
Aaron Sorrells – Republican
Zach Vance – Republican
Attorney General
The attorney general of Texas is the chief lawyer and legal officer of the state, and represents Texas in most litigation. The citizens of Texas elect the attorney general every four years. To learn more about the attorney general position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Mike Fields – Democrat
Rochelle Garza – Democrat
Joe Jaworski – Democrat
Lee Merritt – Democrat
S. “T-Bone” Raynor – Democrat
George P. Bush – Republican
Louie Gohmert – Republican
Eva Guzman – Republican
Ken Paxton – Republican
Land Commissioner
The land commissioner of Texas serves as the elected head of the Texas General Land Office and is elected by the citizens of Texas every four years. To learn more about the land commissioner position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Jay Kleberg – Democrat
Michael Lange – Democrat
Sandragrace Martinez – Democrat
Jinny Suh – Democrat
Ben Armenta – Republican
Victor Avila – Republican
Dawn Buckingham – Republican
Rufus Lopez – Republican
Weston Martinez – Republican
Don W. Minton – Republican
Jon Spiers – Republican
Tim Westley – Republican
Agriculture Commissioner
The agriculture commissioner of Texas is head of the Texas Department of Agriculture, and oversees issues related to agriculture, rural communities, and more in Texas. The agriculture commissioner is elected every four years by the citizens of Texas. To learn more about the agriculture commissioner position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Susan Hays – Democrat
Ed Ireson – Democrat
Carey A. Counsil – Republican
Sid Miller (Incumbent) – Republican
James White – Republican
Comptroller
The comptroller of Texas serves as the state’s chief financial officer and chief treasurer for all of state government, and is elected by the citizens of Texas every four years. The comptroller also serves as the state’s tax collector, chief accountant, and more. To learn more about the comptroller position in Texas, click here.
Candidates
Janet T. Dudding – Democrat
Tim Mahoney – Democrat
Angel Luis Vega – Democrat
Mark V. Goloby – Republican
Glenn Hegar (Incumbent) – Republican
Railroad Commissioner
The Railroad Commission in Texas is a state executive agency and regulates the oil and gas industry. The Railroad Commission is made up of three commissioners, and one seat is up for election in 2022. To learn more about the Texas Railroad Commission, click here.
Candidates
Luke Warford – Democrat
Wayne Christian (Incumbent) – Republican
Tom Slocum Jr. – Republican
Sarah Stogner – Republican
Marvin “Sarge” Summers – Republican
Dawayne Tipton – Republican
Supreme Court of Texas
The Supreme Court of Texas is made up of the chief justice and eight justices, and is the final resort for civil matters in Texas. Three seats on the Supreme Court of Texas are up for election in 2022. To learn more about the Supreme Court of Texas, click here.
Candidates: Place 3
Erin A. Nowell – Democrat
Debra Lehrmann (Incumbent) – Republican
Candidates: Place 5
Amanda Reichek – Democrat
Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle (Incumbent) – Republican
Candidates: Place 9
Julia Maldonado – Democrat
David J. Schenck – Republican
Evan Young (Incumbent) – Republican
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
TThe Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s highest court for criminal cases, and is made up of a Presiding Judge and eight Judges. Three seats on the Court of Criminal Appeals are up for election in 2022. To learn more about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, click here.
Candidates: Place 2
Mary Lou Keel (Incumbent) – Republican
Candidates: Place 5
Dana Huffman – Democrat
Clint Morgan – Republican
Scott Walker (Incumbent) – Republican
Candidates: Place 6
Robert Johnson – Democrat
Jesse F. McClure III (Incumbent) – Republican