Early voting in Primary starts Feb. 20

HARRIS COUNTY – Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth has announced the start of Early Voting for the March 5 Joint Primary Elections, and her staff demonstrated what voters can expect to see at the polls at a Press Conference last Monday, February 19.

Early Voting in person runs from February 20 to March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sunday, February 25, noon to 7 p.m.

Harris County has countywide polling, which means voters can go to any of the 79 early vote centers across the county.

Voters will choose from either a Democrat or Republican ballot of their choosing. In a runoff, they must vote in the same party. Ballots will be lengthy, because they include Presidential candidates, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, local county and city officials, constables and sheriff, precinct chairs, and propositions on the Republican ballot.

Of special interest to Aldine area voters are their representatives. State Representative Armando Walle is running unopposed, as are Senfronia Thompson, Carol Alvarado, and Sylvia Garcia on the Democratic slate.

Richard Cantu is running to retain his seat on the Harris County Department of Education board, but has an opponent in Josh Wallenstein.

Other high profile races include the Harris County District Attorney, with incumbent Kim Ogg facing challenger Sean Teare. Also of interest is a race for Sheriff, with incumbent Ed Gonzalez facing 3 challengers. County Attorney Christian Menefee has an opponent, Umeka Lewis.

For election information, visit www.HarrisVotes.com and connect on social media at @HarrisVotes for news and updates.

Deadline to Apply for Voting by Mail is February 23rd

The Harris County Clerk’s Office reminds eligible registered voters that February 23, 2024, is the last day to submit an application to vote by mail for the upcoming Primary Elections. Qualified voters should be aware that to receive a mail ballot, they must request an application to vote by mail and submit it to the County Clerk’s Elections Department. Applications and mail ballots are NOT sent automatically to voters.

“In even numbered years, it is important to mark the primary and primary runoff election in which you want to participate,” said Harris Couty Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, the county’s chief elections official. “It is also important that the voter completes the entire application correctly and selects the appropriate qualifying option.”

Registered voters are eligible to vote by mail if they are:

• 65 years of age or older

• Sick or disabled (as defined in Texas Election Code 82.002(a))

• Out of the county on Election Day and during early voting hours

• Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

• Confined in jail or involuntary civil commitment but eligible to vote

Registered voters who are 65 years of age and older or disabled have the option of marking “annual” on the application to ensure they automatically receive a postal ballot for all of the 2024 elections that take place in the political jurisdictions where they reside. The “annual” application to vote by mail expires at the end of the year, or when the voter cancels the application, voter registration is canceled, or when the voter registers in a new county.

“Voters who are qualified to vote by mail but choose not to exercise the option may vote in person during the Early Voting Period or on Election Day,” concluded Clerk Hudspeth. Early voting for the Primary Elections will take place from Tuesday, February 20 to Friday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday, February 25, from noon to 7 p.m. Vote centers will be open on Election Day, March 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit www.HarrisVotes.com for additional information or to review a sample ballot. For news and updates, voters may follow the County Clerk’s Office on social media at @HarrisVotes.