HOUSTON — When early voting for the March primary in Texas begins on February 20, Harris County will try something new. For the first time ever, the state's most populous county will run a joint primary. That means both parties will share voting locations and equipment.
During the last presidential primary in Harris County, long lines and issues with voting machines led to frustrated voters. Some people waited hours to vote while others gave up without casting a ballot.
County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, the county's new elections chief, said that won't happen this time around.
"The equipment is ready, and the staffing is ready," Hudspeth said. "Our election judges are training and getting all the updated information they need for this upcoming primary."
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, the state's top election officer, stopped in Houston Tuesday on a statewide tour.
"The important thing is to make a plan, not just who you're gonna vote for, but also how you will cast your ballot, how you can vote by mail," Nelson said.
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Friday, Feb. 23.
Two months to the day after we started reporting on mail delays in the Houston area, we asked Nelson for her advice to people voting by mail.
"Find out what you need to do to cast that ballot and cast it, and we'll take it from there," she said. "We're building confidence across political lines. That's all I've ever known."
Nelson and Hudspeth told me their offices are working closely to prepare.
"We have worked together day and night leading up to this primary election," Hudspeth said.
Both said they're confident every vote will be counted when they return to the technology center on Election Night.
"We're there to help. I have every confidence in the world," Nelson said.