A lot is at stake when Texans go to the polls Tuesday to vote in the March primary.
There are an unusually high number of prominent open races, with eight Texans in the U.S. House and more than a dozen in the Texas Legislature choosing not to run for re-election.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, both Republicans, are up for re-election and facing primary challengers. So are Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, all Republicans.
RELATED: Big turnout expected for the primary
For both parties, the race for U.S. Senate will be at the top of the ballot. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is vying against four other Republicans in his bid for re-election, and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, is the best-known of three Democrats aiming to unseat Cruz.
At the state level, nine candidates are crowding the Democratic gubernatorial primary, with the highest-profile being former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston entrepreneur Andrew White, son of late Texas Gov. Mark White.
Lower on the ballot, all of the seats in the Texas House of Representatives and half of those in the Texas Senate are up for re-election. Below that could be local races for justice of the peace or constable, depending on where you live.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Below you'll find links leading you to your polling place, according to the precinct listed on your registration card.
Brazoria County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Chambers County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Fort Bend County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Galveston County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Harris County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Liberty County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Montgomery County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Polk County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Walker County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Waller County: Locations | Sample ballot (D) | Sample ballot (R)
Our partners at the Texas Tribune have compiled a list of frequently asked questions.
How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primaries has passed (and Texas doesn’t allow voter registration on the day of an election). If you aren’t already registered, you won’t be able to cast a ballot in this year’s primaries.
Don’t know if you’re registered? Check the Texas Secretary of State’s website. All you’ll need to do is enter your full name, birthdate, zip code and the county you live in.
Of note: There’s no way to register online in Texas, but if you want to make sure you’re set for future elections, you can register in person at your county voter registrar’s office or by filling out a voter registration application online, printing it and mailing it to your county’s registrar.
Can I vote for either party?
Yes, because Texas is an open-primary state. This means voters can decide every two years whether they’d rather help pick the Republican or the Democratic nominees (or hold out and go to third-party conventions).
Of note: Whatever primary you decide to vote in, you can only vote in that same party’s runoff, if a runoff is held. You can also vote for either party's candidate in the general election.
What form of ID do I need to bring to the polls?
If you’re confused about what ID to bring to the polls for the 2018 election, you’re probably not alone. The legal wrangling over the state’s requirements has turned rather complicated. Here are the seven types of photo ID that will be accepted at the polls for the primaries:
A state driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
A Texas election identification certificate (issued by DPS)
A Texas personal identification card (issued by DPS)
A Texas license to carry a handgun (issued by DPS)
A U.S. military ID card that includes a personal photo
A U.S. citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo
A U.S. passport
So, what if I don’t have one of the seven approved forms of ID?
If you have qualifying photo ID, bring it. But if you don't, you can still cast a ballot.
Voters who do not have any of those documents and cannot “reasonably obtain” them can still cast a vote if they sign a form in which they swear that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification.
Those voters will also have to present one of the following types of ID:
Valid voter registration certificate
Certified birth certificate
Copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address (any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original)
A “reasonable impediment” can include a lack of transportation, disability or illness, family responsibilities or lost or stolen identification, among other things. And election judges may not question a voter about the reasonableness of a claimed impediment.
The “reasonable impediment” declaration forms will be available at each polling location. Voters are not expected to fill them out ahead of time, Taylor said.