HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — On Tuesday afternoon, the head of political elections in Harris County gave an update to Commissioners Court to provide details about the preparations being made for the upcoming primaries in the state’s most populous county.
For the first time, Harris County will run a joint primary. That means both parties will share voting locations and equipment.
County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth told commissioners her office has enough money to get through the March 5 primary, which she estimates will cost between $11 million to $14 million.
Hudspeth said once the primaries are over, she will meet with commissioners about funding for other spring elections and November’s general election.
For now, the clerk said she’s working “day and night” with local Republican and Democrat officials to ensure the parties have enough workers for the upcoming primary.
“We do emergency assignments,” Hudspeth said while speaking to commissioners remotely. “We do that a couple weeks out before Election Day if, for any reason, the political parties cannot place a worker in certain locations, then the County Clerk’s office simply comes in to support emergency assignments.”
Hudspeth said Harris County will offer 79 to 80 early voting centers and 540 to 545 polling sites on Election Day, with exact locations still being finalized.
Monday, Feb. 5, is the last day to register to vote in the March 5 primaries. Early voting starts Tuesday, Feb. 20. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, Feb. 23.