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- Key Dates
- Overview: March 3 Primary Elections
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Election News
- Coming Soon: Contested candidate Q&As
Key dates
- Feb. 2: Voter registration deadline (postmark date)
- Feb. 17: First day of early voting
- Feb. 20: Last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot (not postmark date)
- Feb. 27: Last day of early voting
- March 3: Primary Election Day
- April 27: Last day to register to vote in primary runoff elections
- May 18: First day of early voting in primary runoffs
- May 22: Last day of early voting in primary runoffs
- May 26: Primary Runoff Election Day
Overview: March 3 midterm primary elections
El Paso County voters will cast their ballots March 3 in the Democratic and Republican primary elections to decide who will move forward to the November general election. Early voting for the primaries is Feb. 17-27.
While Democrats have candidates in all local races in El Paso, Republicans have candidates in only a few local races – though the party has more candidates seeking seats than in years past.
At the local level, voters will select party candidates for El Paso County judge, two county commissioner seats, justices of the peace and a slew of judgeships, including for district courts, county courts at law, county criminal courts and county probate courts.
The longtime El Paso incumbent county and district clerks didn’t draw opponents in either party and will be effectively reelected.
On the federal and state levels, ballots will include candidates for U.S. representatives and state representatives.
Candidates who win a majority of their party’s vote in the March primary will be on the November ballot. In elections featuring three or more candidates, a runoff election will be held May 26 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register to vote?
Registration deadline for the March primaries is Feb. 2.
To register to vote in Texas, you must be a citizen of the United States and be 18 years old by Election Day. You can print a postage-paid application from the El Paso County Elections Department or pick one up in-person at the county courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio Ave. Suite 315.
Applications can also be found at public libraries and post offices. Click here for more information.
How do I check if I’m registered to vote?
Check your registration status with the El Paso County Elections Department or the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Do I have to declare a party to vote in the primaries?
When you reach the polling site during the March primary, you’ll be asked whether you’re voting Democrat or Republican.
The ballot you’re given depends on what party you’re voting in, so you have to declare your party during the primary and primary runoff elections.
Can I switch parties between the primary and runoff elections?
You have to vote in the same party during the May runoff as you did in the March primary. If you don’t vote in the primary, you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican runoff election in May.
Can I vote for candidates from any party in the general election?
Yes, you can vote for candidates in either party in partisan races during the November general election regardless of what party you voted in during the primary and primary runoffs.
Which elected offices will be on my ballot?
What’s on your ballot will largely depend on what you live and in which party you’re voting in the primaries.
- Personalized sample ballot: If you are a registered voter, you can view and print a sample ballot of all candidates in your voting districts and precincts HERE when available.
- Democratic Party: Sample ballot
- Republican Party: Sample ballot
Where and when can I vote in person?
If you’re a registered voter, you can vote at any voting location during early voting and on Election Day – you no longer have to vote at a specific location.
What do I need to vote in person?
You’ll need one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID, which include a Texas driver’s license, U.S. passport book or card, or Texas personal ID card.
Can I vote by mail?
You can vote by mail in Texas if you are age 65 or older on Election Day; are sick or have a disability; are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or are in jail but still eligible to vote. You can also vote by mail if you will be out of El Paso County on Election Day and during the early voting period.
You must apply to receive a mail-in ballot and the El Paso County Elections Department must receive your application by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. More information can be found HERE.
When is my mail-in ballot due?
The Elections Department must receive your mail-in ballot by 7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, March 3, if the carrier envelope is not postmarked. If the envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. Election Day, the Elections Department will accept it through 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4. Click HERE for more information on civilian mail-in ballots.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents are also eligible to vote early by mail under the same process, but some special provisions may apply.
After you send in your mail ballot, you can track it HERE.
What are the new postmark rules at the U.S. Post Office?
Under a new rule implemented in December, U.S. Post Office postmarks, which include a date stamp, now reflect the date the agency processes your piece of mail, including election ballots. Previously, the postmark indicated when USPS “first accepted possession” of it – or when you dropped it in a mailbox.
The Postal Service recommends voters mail their ballots at least a week before the deadline.
Election News
The post Election 2026 Voter Guide: Everything you need to know about the March 3 primary elections in El Paso appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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