Time is running out to register to vote for the upcoming March primaries.
Those wishing to cast a ballot on March 3 in Texas, which is participating in Super Tuesday, are required to have their voter registration cards postmarked by midnight Monday if they want to participate in the election.
Early voting starts Feb. 18.
In the election, parties will choose their candidates for president, U.S. Senate and a host of U.S. House, legislative and judicial seats, as well as for several local races, including the high-profile Travis County district attorney’s race and several district judge, commissioner and constable posts.
As of Wednesday, 94.4% of eligible Travis County residents were registered to vote, which is well above the 75% of eligible voters statewide who were registered, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Ninety-two percent of eligible voters were registered Wednesday in Williamson County and 75% in Bastrop County, those elections offices said.
At the time of the November 2018 election, Travis County recorded a record-breaking 95% voter registration rate. County Registrar Bruce Elfant said he predicts even better registration numbers by November’s presidential election, which is expected to see unprecedented turnout.
For Travis County residents still looking to register, the tax office on Airport Boulevard will be open Monday until midnight. Residents in Hays, Bastrop and Williamson counties can visit their elections offices to register.
Volunteer deputy registrars also will be posted at all Alamo Drafthouse movie theaters, Thundercloud Subs and Juiceland locations registering people over the weekend and on Monday.
Also Monday, voter registration will take place at the People’s Community Clinic locations on Camino La Costa and on Interstate 35 near Dean Keeton Street. Various University of Texas student organizations also will be registering people at the West Mall and on Speedway during the day and at Gregory Plaza from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday sent educational materials to Texas school districts pointing out that high school principals serve as deputy voter registrars who distribute registration application forms to each every eligible student. He also urged public school employees not to advocate for or against specific political candidates.
“As we enter another election year and many students register to vote for the first time, educators must promote unbiased information on our civic responsibilities with integrity and honesty,” Paxton said in his letter.
Austin High School social studies teachers, who have all been certified as volunteer deputy registrars, have been visiting senior classrooms this week to register as many eligible students as possible. So far, they have registered 70 seniors and hope to hit 100 before the deadline.
Elfant advised anyone choosing to mail in voter registration forms to do so a few days in advance, to ensure they are postmarked by the deadline.
“If you mail it the same day, it’s hard to get a timely postmark, and their name won’t be on the voting rolls for the primary,” he said.
Texas is an open primary state, which means that voters can decide every two years which political party’s primary in which they want to vote. When they visit a polling location, they will be asked whether they want to vote on the Democratic or Republican ticket.
If candidates face a runoff election, which would be held May 26, people must vote with the same party for which they voted for in the primary.
Primary elections generally have lower turnout than general elections. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she expects about 20% of registered voters to turn out, compared with the average 60% who turn out for the general election.
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