Texas 2020 Elections

Early voting is underway in Texas. Here's what you need to know.

Early voting will last for 10 days, ending Feb. 28. The primary is March 3.

Feb. 18, 202012 AM Central

Early voting starts Tuesday in Texas, with polls opening up across the state for voters to cast their ballots in the March primary.

Early voting will last for 10 days, ending Feb. 28. For Texans who don't want to cast their ballots early, the state’s primary election day is March 3.

Texas is one of 14 states participating in the Super Tuesday primary. This year's primary ballot includes much more than just the presidential primary, which is sure to be a top draw for Democratic voters.

Voting in Texas

When was the last day to register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote in the 2020 general election was Oct. 5. Check if you’re registered to vote here. If not, you’ll need to fill out and submit an application, which you can request here or download here.
When can I vote early?

Early voting for the 2020 general election runs from Oct. 13 to Oct. 30. Voters can cast ballots at any polling location in the county where they are registered to vote during early voting. Election Day is Nov. 3.
How will voting be different because of the pandemic?

In general, polling locations will have guidelines in place for social distancing and regular cleaning. Several counties will offer ballot marking devices so voters avoid contact with election equipment. Poll workers will likely be wearing face masks and other protective equipment, but masks will not be required for voters.
How do I know if I qualify to vote by mail?

Texas is one of just a few states that hasn’t opened up mail-in voting to any voter concerned about getting COVID-19 at a polling place. You can find eligibility requirements and review other questions about voting by mail here.
Are polling locations the same on Election Day as they are during early voting?

Not always. You’ll want to check for open polling locations with your local elections office before you head out to vote. Additionally, you can confirm with your county elections office whether Election Day voting is restricted to locations in your designated precinct or if you can cast a ballot at any polling place.
Can I still vote if I have COVID-19?

Yes. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms, consider requesting an emergency mail-in ballot or using curbside voting. Contact your county elections office for more details about both options.
See our voter guide

Have you run into hurdles or problems while trying to vote in Texas? We want your help in reporting on those challenges. Tell The Texas Tribune your voting story.

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Voters can cast ballots in either the Democratic or Republican primary, or go to third-party conventions later this year. Voters will weigh in on congressional, legislative, judicial and State Board of Education primaries. There are hundreds of candidates vying for positions across the state, so check out The Texas Tribune's primary election ballot guide for more.

If a primary race ends in a runoff, the runoff election is on May 25, when voters will choose between the top two vote-getters.

But in order to cast a vote at the polls, voters will need to be eligible and know where to go. The Tribune's voter guide tells you how to find polling places nearby, what you need to take to the polls and answers to some quick questions. Important things to note: Voters need to take some form of ID, the last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Feb. 21, and wearing campaign gear at the polls is illegal.

Here are some other resources before you vote:

A long list of Democrats are running to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in November. We asked the top candidates 11 questions about their policy and politics stances to help differentiate them for Texas voters. The Tribune's CEO and co-founder Evan Smith also sat down for hourlong conversations with those same candidates. Watch those interviews here.
We have highlighted some of the most competitive and interesting races here.
Add key 2020 election dates to your calendar here.

Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.

Texas 2020 Elections

Voting in Texas

When was the last day to register to vote?

When can I vote early?

How will voting be different because of the pandemic?

How do I know if I qualify to vote by mail?

Are polling locations the same on Election Day as they are during early voting?

Can I still vote if I have COVID-19?

Texans need truth. Help us report it.

Information about the authors

Allyson Ortegon

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