Early voting guide for May 26 primary election runoffs

HOUSTON — Voters head to the polls for the Texas primary election runoff elections to determine who will move on to the November general election.  Some key races on the ballot include the Republican U.S. Senate race between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General race between Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy, the Democratic race between Jay Jaworski and Nathan Johnson, the Harris County judge race on both the Republican and Democratic sides, and the Democratic race for U.S. House District 18 between Christian Menefee and Al Green. Several other key local and state races are on the ballot.

KHOU 11 has full streaming Election Night coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. You can also get results throughout the night on the KHOU 11 mobile app. We’ll send push alerts as key races are called.

Early voting begins on Monday, May 18. Below are resources to make sure you’re able to cast your vote!

Voters are preparing for early voting to begin in the March primary elections, and for many across the Houston area, the ballot will look different this year.

Under Texas law, voters may only cast ballots in races within their registered political party during the primary. But for the first time, many Houston-area residents will be voting for a new congressional representative after the Texas Legislature approved a mid-decade redistricting plan that reshaped district boundaries across the state.

Read more about newly redrawn districts.

Before heading to the polls, you need to make sure you’re registered to vote! There’s a link and just a couple of steps to determine if you are.

• Early voting begins on Monday, May 18
• Early voting ends on Friday, May 22
• Election Day is Tuesday, May 26

Below are links to county election offices, where they are keeping lists and maps of voting locations. You can also search here. 

In Texas, you may vote early by mail if:

• You are 65 years of age or older on Election Day
• You are sick or disabled (as defined in Texas Election Code)
• You expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
• You are out of your county on Election Day and during early voting hours.
• You are confined in jail or Involuntary Civil Commitment, but eligible to vote.

Download mail ballot in English | Español | Vietnamese | Chinese

The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, May 15 (Received, not Postmarked)

Deadlines to submit mail ballots: The ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Deadline to submit overseas ballots: Last mail delivery on the fifth day after Election Day. 

Deadline to submit military ballots: Last mail delivery on the sixth day after Election Day. 

• Your application must be signed.
• You must provide either your Driver’s License/Personal ID Number (issued by DPS) or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. Your number must match what is on file with your voter registration, so we encourage you to provide both numbers if you are unsure of what you registered with. 
• If you’re eligible and are requesting a ballot for each of the elections this year, mark the box next to “Annual Application” and the reason you’re eligible.

• Texas Driver License issued by Texas DPS
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States Passport (book or card)

For voters aged 18-69, photo IDs must not be expired for more than four years, with the exception of U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which doesn’t expire. For anyone 70 years and above, acceptable forms of photo IDs can be expired for any length of time if the ID is otherwise valid.

For those who don’t have any of the above forms of ID, here are some supporting forms of ID that can be shown.

• Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
• Copy of or original current utility bill;
• Copy of or original bank statement;
• Copy of or original government check;
• Copy of or original paycheck; or
• Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

You can learn more about acceptable forms of ID here.

According to Texas law, no one can use any wireless communication devices within 100 feet of voting stations. People also can’t use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within 100 feet of voting stations.

You cannot use the following at polling locations:

• Cell phones
• Cameras
• Tablet computers
• Laptop computers
• Sound recorders
• Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images

You can’t wear clothing or have any similar communication that relates to a candidate, measure or political party. If you do, a presiding judge can enforce the law within 100 feet outside a polling place entrance. You may be asked to cover up before going inside to vote.

🗳 Ken Paxton
🗳 John Cornyn

🗳 Mayes Middleton
🗳 Chip Roy

🗳 Annise Parker
🗳 Letitia Plummer

🗳 Orlando Sanchez
🗳 Warren Howell