Primary Day guide: Everything to know to vote in Houston, Southeast Texas

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HOUSTON - Polls are open across Texas on Tuesday to decide the candidates for November's midterm election. Here's everything you need to know before you get out and vote.

When are the polls open for primaries?

Polls are open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Once the polls close for the day, official counts will begin to decide winners.

How do I find my voting place?

In order to find your polling location, follow these steps:

Visit VoteTexas.gov
Enter your details to find your polling location.
You can also contact your local county election office to get information about your polling location and anything else voting-related. Do a simple online search for "[Your County] elections."
If you have your voter registration card, it should include your polling location. Locations can sometimes change — be sure to double-check this with one of the other options before you get out the door.

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March Primary 2026 polling locations: Where to vote in Houston, Southeast Texas

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Have you voted? Here's where to vote in the Democratic and Republican primary elections on Tuesday, March 3, in the Houston area.

Southeast Texas polling locations

What should I take with me to vote?

To vote in Texas, you need photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

Texas driver's license (including a temporary license).
Texas election identification certificate.
Texas handgun license.
Texas personal identification card.
U.S. passport.
U.S. military identification card.
Any other form of ID issued by the U.S. government that has your photo (e.g., a school identification card).

The name on your identification must match your voter registration.

If you don't meet the ID requirements, you can always leave and come back before 7 p.m. with an acceptable ID to cast your vote.

What can I bring to the voting booth?

Voters can, and are encouraged to bring, written materials to help cast their vote. This can include a personal sample ballot, which you can find at your county's elections website, handwritten notes or anything else to make the process go smoothly.

You can not use electronic devices in any room where voting is taking place. This includes cell phones, cameras, recording devices, laptops, tablets or any other communication or recording devices. If the presiding judge sees a voter recording anything in a polling location, they may either direct them to shut off the device or leave the premises.

Unless you are a licensed peace officer, you cannot bring a gun into a polling place, no matter if you have a license to carry one.

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Texas 2026 primary election: What can I take to vote? Do I need an ID?

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Texas 2026 primary election: What can I take to vote? Do I need an ID?

Can I bring my sample ballot to vote in Texas? How about my phone? My child? My gun? Here's what you can and can't bring with you to polling locations. Plus, what forms of ID are acceptable.

What's on my primary ballot?

Some options on your ballot will vary depending on your location. To see your options for representatives or other seats open in your area, check your sample ballot at your county's elections website.

MORE: Houston, Texas races to watch in March 3 primary elections

Statewide elections remain the same across Texas, and it's always best to be informed on your choices before you get to the polls. The options you'll see are as follows:

Texas Governor

Republican: Incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, former U.S. Rep. Pete Chambers.
Democrat: State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole.

Lieutenant Governor

Republican: Incumbent Dan Patrick.
Democrat: Marcos Velez, state Rep. Vikki Goodwin.

Attorney General

Republican: State Sen. Mayes Middleton, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, state Sen. Joan Huffman, Assistant AG Aaran Reitz.
Democrat: Joe Jaworski, state Sen. Nathan Johnson, Tony Box.

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican: Incumbent Sid Miller, Nate Sheets.
Democrat: Clayton Tucker.

Railroad Commissioner

Republican: Texas Railroad Commission Chairman James Wright, Katherine Culbert, Hawk Dunlap, Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French, James Matlock.

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Republican: Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, former state Sen. Don Huffines, Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddock.
Democrat: State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt.

Commissioner of General Land Office

Republican: Incumbent Dawn Buckingham.
Democrat: Jose Loya, Benjamin Flores.

Texas Supreme Court

Republican: Incumbent Kyle Hawkins, Incumbent Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Incumbent James Sullivan, Incumbent Brett Busby.
Democrat: Former Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals Place 11 Cory Carlyle, Texas Third District Court of Appeals Place 2 Maggie Ellis, Texas Third District Court of Appeals Place 3 Chari Kelly, former Texas First District Court of Appeals Place 2 Gordon Goodman, Kristi Hawkins, Texas Third District Court of Appeals Place 6 Gisela Triana.

Court of Criminal Appeals

Republican: Incumbent Kevin Yeary, Alison Fox, Lesli Fitzpatrick, Thomas Smith, Brent Coffee, John Messinger, Jennifer Balido.
Democrat: Okey Anyiam, Audrey Riley, Holly Taylor.

15th Court of Appeals

Republican: Incumbent Scott Brister, Incumbent Scott Field, Incumbent Rachel Farris.
Democrat: Jerry Zimmerer, Tom Baker, Mark Meyer.

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Texas March 3, 2026 primary election: Houston-area sample ballots

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Texas March 3, 2026 primary election: Houston-area sample ballots

Before you head to the polls for the March 3 primary elections in Texas, you can find out what you are voting for on your sample ballot. Southeast Texas voters can search for their county here.

Southeast Texas sample ballots

How to report polling problems

If you have issues while voting that the county can take care of, either speak with representatives at your polling location or visit your county's elections website for contact information.

If you have complaints about the county's voting administration, including voting rights violations, issues with election officials or similar problems, check this list of resources from the Secretary of the State.