Staying up to speed with election news can feel overwhelming with the number of candidates challenging seats up and down the ballot. While the big Election Day isn’t until November 6, this election in particular has a dizzying number of “run-offs” in most places -- which are races where no candidate won more than 50% of the vote of their political primary. The top two vote getters are matched against each other for the right to be their party's nominee in the November election.
When is the Primary Runoff Election?
May 22 is the official Primary Runoff Election Day, but there will be early voting throughout the state, May 14 to May 18. You can vote early as long as you are a registered voter in the county where you intend to vote.
Who is running?
Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of space (the list is long), but why reinvent the wheel? The Secretary of State’s website just launched a searchable listing of all the candidates running here. Be sure to check “Candidates on Runoff Ballot” in the “Restrict by Status” field. You can also filter by county and political party.
Not registered yet?
If you’re not registered to vote yet, unfortunately, you are too late too late for the runoffs on May 22 (deadline was April 23), but please take care of that right away so you can vote in November! Unsure if you are registered? Check here.
Can you vote in the runoff election if you didn’t vote in the primary election?
Yes. Any registered voter can vote in this run-off election.
Can you vote in either political party primary runoff election?
If you voted in the March 6 primary election, you can’t vote in another party’s primary. If you didn’t vote in the March 6 primary, you can choose any party’s primary.
What about absentee ballots (ballots by mail)?
It is allowed. Check with your local county for the exact procedure.
Other questions?
The best go-to source is the Texas Secretary of State website, which can answer all your election questions.
Is the Sierra Club’s Political Action Committee endorsing in these runoff elections?
No. However, we do expect to make multiple endorsements well before the November 2018 election. Visit turntexasgreen.org to stay up to date on our endorsements and other political activities as election season continues!