Primary elections are when Democrats and Republicans choose their nominees for November, and in the case of Texas’ many deeply red or blue seats, they’re often the main event.
That’s why the San Antonio Report has compiled the most comprehensive Voter Guide you’ll find headed into the March 3 primary — with more than 170 candidate profiles to help you map out your ballot.
Early voting runs Feb. 17 through Feb. 27 and voters can choose from any Bexar County polling center. Check your voter registration status and download a copy of your personal ballot here.
A few reminders about the how the primary election works in Texas:
- Both parties’ voters use the same polling locations, operated by the county elections department.
- You don’t have to be registered with a party to vote in the primary. You’ll just select the party’s ballot you want before you enter the voting booth.
- Winners must take at least 50% of the vote. In any race where no candidate reaches that threshold on March 3, the top two vote-takers will advance to a May 26 primary runoff.
- Voting in the primary isn’t a requirement for voting in the runoff, however, voters who participated in the first round must continue using the same party’s ballot in the runoff. For example, if you selected the Democratic primary ballot for the March 3 primary, you can only vote in Democratic primary runoffs on May 26.
- The November ballot could still include third party candidates, who are nominated through conventions, as well as independent candidates, who collect signatures to qualify for the general election ballot after the primary is over. (We’ll include them in our general election voter guide this fall!)
We hope you enjoy getting to know the candidates on your Bexar County primary ballot.
