HOUSTON – Many Texans who skipped the March primary election may be wondering whether they can still vote in November.
The short answer is yes.
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Not voting in a primary does not prevent someone from participating in the general election.
Texas holds primary elections so political parties can choose their nominees for the November ballot. These elections determine which Republican, Democratic, or other party candidates will represent their party in the general election.
While primaries help narrow the field, they are not required for voters who want to participate later in the year.
You can still vote in November
Texas does not require voters to participate in a primary to vote in the general election. Even if you did not vote in March, you can still cast a ballot in November as long as you are registered to vote and meet the eligibility requirements.
The November general election is when voters choose among the candidates selected during the primaries. This election determines who will hold offices such as president (in presidential years), members of Congress, state lawmakers, and local officials.
Make sure you are registered
To vote in November, you must be registered to vote in Texas. Voters can check their registration status through the Texas Secretary of State’s website or their local county election office.
If you are not registered, you must complete a voter registration application and submit it by the deadline. In Texas, voter registration must be completed at least 30 days before Election Day.
Applications can be submitted by mail, in person at voter registration agencies, or through designated government offices such as the Department of Public Safety when updating a driver’s license.
What you need to vote
Texas voters must bring an approved form of photo identification to vote in person. Acceptable IDs include:
- Texas driver’s license
- Texas election identification certificate
- Texas personal identification card
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. military ID with photo
- U.S. passport
- U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
Voters who cannot reasonably obtain one of these IDs may still vote by signing a declaration and presenting a supporting document, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing their name and address.
When to vote in November
The general election is held on the first Tuesday in November. Voters can cast ballots either during early voting or on Election Day.
Early voting typically begins about two weeks before Election Day and allows people to vote at designated polling locations before the final day.
Why the primary still matters
Although voters are not required to participate in primaries, those elections play an important role in determining which candidates make it onto the November ballot. In many races, the primary winner becomes the party’s official nominee.
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a Texas primary, the top two candidates advance to a runoff election. The winner of that runoff then moves on to the general election.