Monday is registration deadline to vote in March Primary

Pennylynn Webb, Palestine Herald-Press, Texas
·4 min read

Feb. 3—Monday, Feb. 5 is the deadline for new applicants to register to vote in the March Primary Election. Monday is also the deadline to make any changes to your existing voter registration. The Texas Primary Election Day, known as Super Tuesday, is set for Tuesday, March 5.

New voters and information updates

According to Anderson County Election Officer Casey Brown, if you received a green confirmation address card from the county, you are asked to mail it in to her office or deliver it. All applications or address confirmation cards resulting from a "Returned" voter certificate, postmarked Feb. 5 will be processed accordingly. New applicants or address changes received after Feb. 5 will not be updated until after the March 5 Primary Election.

You may complete a voter registration application at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex, 703 N. Mallard, Suite 116.

New Applicants may also print a voter registration application at VOTETEXAS.GOV. Please sign the application, hand deliver or mail it to 703 N. Mallard, Suite 116, Palestine, TX. Applications submitted by mail and postmarked by the deadline, will be honored.

If you are currently registered, you may change your address online at VOTETEXAS.GOV.

Yellow renewal voter certificates

"As required by Texas Law, our office mailed out new yellow Voter Registration Certificates good for

the next two years, 2024 to 2026, to all active registered voters.," Brown said. "Please confirm that your information is accurate. You do not need this card to vote, all you need is your photo ID, but please keep your certificates for your records. 'RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED" does not mean return the card to the election office."

Brown said if your information has changed, on the back of the card you can put the change and your signature, place it in an envelope and mail to her office by Feb. 5. We will make the change and mail a corrected replacement card.

If you did not receive a new voter card, you are still eligible to vote. If you are registered, you do not need to re-register unless you have moved or need to make other changes.

Early Voting

Early voting for the March 5 Primary Election begins Tuesday Feb. 20 and runs through Friday, March 1. All qualified voters are eligible to vote during the early voting period.

You must bring on of seven approved forms of photo identification along with your voter certificate, if available. The seven approved forms of photo ID include:

—TX Election ID Certificate

—TX Driver License

—TX Personal ID Card

—TX Handgun License

—U.S. Citizenship Certificate with Photo ID

—U.S. Military ID Card

—U.S. Passport

Ballot by mail

The last day to apply for ballot by mail, received, not postmarked, is Feb. 23.

Democrat or Republican

Brown said all voters in the March 5 Primary Election must choose to vote either Democratic or Republican. A voter may verbally tell the poll worker which ballot they choose or indicate by pointing at the list provided by the poll worker. Whatever primary a voter decides to vote in, she/he can only vote in that same party's runoff election, if held.

Brown asked that voters to know prior to entering polling location as to what party ballot they are choosing. She said it also helps to become familiar with both your state and local candidates before voting.

Know who you are voting for

"It is imperative you make sure you have all the resources and take all necessary steps to become familiar with your ballot prior to entering the polling place," Brown said. "The elections office is not able to provide any information for or against any measure or candidate on the ballot."

According to Brown, sample ballots will be available 30 days prior to the election on the county's website (www.co.anderson.tx.us). Sample copies will also be available at the Anderson County Elections Office.

Please remember

"Voters, please remember, electioneering is not allowed within the 100-foot distance marker of the polling place," Brown said. "Please remove all candidate literature, including hats, pens, t-shirts, scarfs, etc., before entering the polling place. We are required by law to ask voters to remove any campaign literature before casting their vote. Voters may bring written notes or sample ballots to cast votes."

For more Anderson County election information call 903-723-7438 or or log onto the county website at www.co.anderson.tx.us.