Early Voting began today for the May 26 Texas Primary Runoff Elections. This runoff is the final opportunity for Harris County voters to decide which Republican and Democratic candidates advance to the November General Election in races where no candidate received more than 50% of the vote during the March 3 Primary Elections. Vote centers are open until 7 p.m.

On the ballot there are federal, state and local races. Among these, U.S. Senate, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Representatives, and Harris County Judge.

You can vote in the runoff even if you did not vote in the March 3 Primaries. If you voted in the March 3 elections, you must vote in the same party’s primary for the runoff.

Early Voting runs from today, Monday, May 18, to Friday, May 22. Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.

We encourage all eligible voters to vote early, as there will only be five days of Early Voting for this election. Vote centers will not be open on Saturday or Sunday.

Harris County will operate 48 vote centers during early voting and 162 on Election Day. Voters can find a full list of locations and estimated wait times at HarrisVotes.com. 

What voters can do to stay informed during this unusual back-to-back election schedule:

• Make a plan: Voters can check their sample ballot at HarrisVotes.com to see which primary runoff races apply to them.

• Voters can take written materials with them into the voting booth, but no electronic devices are allowed.

• Make sure to bring one of the 7 acceptable forms of identification:

o   TX Driver’s License

o   TX Personal ID

o   TX Handgun License

o   TX Election ID Certificate

o   U.S. Military ID (with photo)

o   U.S. Citizenship Certificate (with photo)

o   U.S. Passport (book or card)

Voting by Mail

• Voters can hand-deliver their mail ballot on Election Day at 1019 Congress St. in downtown Houston between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. A valid photo ID is required.

• If a voter decides to vote in person instead, they must surrender their mail ballot at a vote center. If the voter does not have their mail ballot, they may still vote in person, but must vote a provisional ballot per the Texas Election Code. 

• Voters can also track their ballots on our website. Visit HarrisVotes.com or call 713-755-6965 for additional information.