At the risk of sounding repetitive, I humbly offer another column this week about elections.
It is, in fact, that time of year and the polls will be open for two very important elections this spring.
It seems folks get confused this time of year. It’s hard to remember who we are voting for and when.
My students at the university stay especially confused. Maybe that’s why voter turnout is lowest in the younger demographic. Maybe not.
But it is all very confusing, so I thought it worth our time to remind ourselves the difference between the Primary Election (in March) and Local Elections (in May).
They are two different affairs with two different ballots. Though one is just as important as the other, depending on who you ask.
There is a fair argument to make that the latter election, in May, though often overlooked, has a more direct effect on our everyday lives than the primaries in March or, even, the General Election in November.
In Texas, as in many other states, there are differences between primary and local elections. Let’s break down those differences and plan our trips to the ballot box.
Primary Elections
Primary elections are held to select party candidates for the general election. They serve as a way for political parties to choose who will represent them in various offices.
So, the person you vote for in the Primary will, if contested, face an opponent from the other party in the November general election.
Texas has semi-open primaries, which means voters can generally choose which party’s primary they want to participate in.
However, they must stick to that party’s ballot for that election. So, in the primary, you report to the polling place and identify which party’s primary you wish to vote in: Republican or Democrat.
You can only vote for members of one party or the other in March. Unfortunately, Texas does not have an official “independent” voter designation.
This commitment to party is only evident in the primary election. You can split your ticket in November. Your chosen party in March has no bearing on the general election. If you vote in the Republican primary, you can still vote for the Democrat in the general election— and vice versa.
The March primary elections determine each party’s nominees for federal, state and county offices.
Each political party holds its own primary election.
Primary elections are typically held in the early part of the election year, often in March.
This year, the Texas primary election will be March 5. The deadline to register to vote in the March 5 primary is Feb. 5. Early voting starts Feb. 22.
So, what are we voting for in March? We are voting to determine who will represent our chosen party in the November general election. Per federal law, the general election is held on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday, of November.
Local Elections
So, you may get through the February primary and think your civic duty is done for the year. Not hardly.
Local elections in Texas cover positions at the city, school district or municipal utility district levels.
These positions may include mayors, city council members, school board members and various other local officials.
Unlike the primary— which is entirely partisan— many local elections in Texas are non-partisan, meaning that candidates do not run as representatives of a particular political party.
Instead, their political affiliation is not officially listed on the ballot. We vote for aldermen, school board trustees and mayors with no knowledge of their political affiliation.
Local elections often focus on issues specific to the community, such as local infrastructure, education and public services. Bond propositions can be called during the local election cycle as well.
In fact, we look for Whitesboro and Tioga ISDs to both call school bonds in the May local election (stay tuned for more information on those issues in future editions of the News-Record).
Local elections can be held at various times throughout the year, depending on the jurisdiction, but each of our local entities calls their local elections in May. This year, local elections will be held on May 4.
Each of our local city halls and school boards could have contested elections, depending upon candidate filing. Filing is open now through Feb. 16.
The last day to register to vote for local elections is April 4, but if you are already registered for the Primary Election, there is no need to register again. Early voting for local elections starts April 22.
For more information about elections, voting and your voter status, visit www.votetexas.gov or www.sos.state.tx.us.
No matter what you do, vote. I don’t care who you vote for. Please vote. This crazy, experiment called “democracy” depends on it.