Honestly, trying to keep track of election dates in Texas can feel like a full-time job. Between the primary, the runoff, and the general, it's a lot. If you've been asking when are primary elections in Texas 2024, you aren't alone. Most people think it's just one day and they're done.
It isn't.
Texas has a specific rhythm to its election cycle, especially in a presidential year. In 2024, the primary election day was March 5. This was Super Tuesday, that massive day where Texas joins a bunch of other states to basically decide the direction of the country. But that date was just the "main event" of a much longer process.
The Dates That Actually Mattered
If you missed the March 5 deadline, you probably realized pretty quickly that you couldn't just walk in and vote. Texas has some of the strictest registration laws in the country. You had to be registered by February 5, 2024, to have a say in the primary. No exceptions.
Here is how the 2024 primary calendar actually shook out:
- January 1, 2024: The very first day you could apply for a ballot by mail.
- February 5, 2024: The drop-dead deadline to register to vote.
- February 20, 2024: Early voting kicked off. This is when the lines are usually shorter, and honestly, it’s the best way to do it.
- March 1, 2024: The last day of early voting.
- March 5, 2024: Primary Election Day.
The primary is essentially the "semifinals." You’re picking which Republican or which Democrat you want to see on the ballot in November. Since Texas is an "open primary" state, you don't have to be a registered member of a party to vote in their primary. You just show up and pick one. But—and this is a big "but"—you can only pick one. You can't vote in the Republican primary for President and then jump over to the Democratic side for a local race.
What Happens When No One Wins?
This is where people usually get confused. In Texas, a candidate has to get more than 50% of the vote to win the nomination outright. If there are four people running and the top person only gets 48%, we go to a runoff.
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The Texas primary runoff election was May 28, 2024.
Runoffs are notorious for low turnout. Kinda sad, actually, because these are often the races that matter most for local positions like Sheriffs or State Representatives. If you voted in the March primary for one party, you had to stick with that same party for the runoff. If you didn't vote in March at all, you could pick either party's runoff in May.
Why the 2024 Primary Was a Huge Deal
The 2024 primary wasn't just about the White House. Sure, Donald Trump and Joe Biden dominated the headlines, but the real "Texas-sized" drama was happening in the State House.
Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton both went on the warpath during the primary. Abbott was targeting Republicans who voted against his school voucher plan, while Paxton was looking to oust judges and legislators who supported his impeachment or ruled against his office. We saw a massive number of incumbents—people who had held their seats for years—either lose outright or get pushed into those May runoffs.
It was a political bloodbath.
Registration and Mail-In Ballots
You've probably heard a lot of noise about mail-in voting. In Texas, it’s not for everyone. You generally have to be 65 or older, disabled, out of the county during the election, or in jail but otherwise eligible.
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For the March primary, your application for a mail-in ballot had to be received (not just postmarked) by February 23. If you waited until the 24th, you were out of luck.
Essential ID Requirements
You can't just show up with a smile. Texas requires a photo ID. Most people use their driver's license, but you can also use:
- A Texas Election Identification Certificate.
- A Texas Personal ID card.
- A Texas Handgun License.
- A U.S. Military ID with a photo.
- A U.S. Citizenship Certificate with a photo.
- A U.S. Passport (book or card).
If you don’t have one of these and can’t reasonably get one, you can fill out a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" and show something like a birth certificate or a utility bill. It’s a bit of a hassle, so most folks stick to the license.
The "Super Tuesday" Factor
Texas is a heavyweight on Super Tuesday. Because we have so many delegates—161 for Republicans and 244 for Democrats in 2024—the results here basically solidified the paths for the presidential nominees. When the polls closed at 7:00 PM on March 5, the trajectory for the rest of the year was pretty much set.
But the primary is also where we chose the challengers for big seats. For example, this is when Congressman Colin Allred secured the Democratic nomination to take on Senator Ted Cruz. If you didn't vote in March, you didn't have a say in who those final two candidates were.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think the primary doesn't matter if they already know who they want for President. That’s a mistake. In many parts of Texas, the "real" election happens in the primary. If you live in a heavily "red" or "blue" district, the person who wins the primary is almost guaranteed to win in November. If you skip the primary, you’re letting a tiny percentage of the population decide who represents you for the next two to six years.
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Also, some people think you have to "register" as a Republican or Democrat weeks in advance. Nope. You just tell the poll worker which ballot you want when you walk in. That choice is then recorded, and it binds you to that party for any runoffs in that specific year.
Actionable Steps for the Next Cycle
Even though the 2024 primary dates have passed, the process repeats. If you want to stay ahead of the game for future elections, here is what you should do:
Check your status right now. Go to the "Am I Registered?" portal on the Texas Secretary of State website. People get purged from the rolls more often than you'd think.
Update your address. If you moved—even if it's just across the street—you need to update your registration. You can usually do this online if you still live in the same county, but if you moved to a new county, you have to mail in a new application.
Mark your calendar for the 30-day rule. In Texas, the deadline is always 30 days before the election. If you want to vote in a March primary, you better have your paperwork in by early February.
Look at a sample ballot. Don't walk into the booth and see 50 names you don't recognize. Sites like Vote411 or the Texas Tribune usually post sample ballots a few weeks before early voting starts. Use them.
The primary is where the real power is in Texas politics. Don't wait until November to start paying attention.