How Do You Register As A Republican In Texas

To: Canton Clerks/Election Administrators and Canton Chairs From: Keith Ingram, Manager of Elections
Keith Ingram's signature

Engagement: March 13, 2018

RE:

Party Affiliation Questions and Answers

This advisory provides answers to some ordinarily asked questions related to party affiliation, voting in the primary election, and candidacy in the primary elections. If you have boosted questions related to affiliation, please contact the Secretarial assistant of Land at i-800-252-VOTE (8683).

All references are to the Texas Election Code (unless otherwise cited).

How does party affiliation work in Texas?

In Texas, there are two main ways for a voter to affiliate with a party: by being accepted to vote in a party's master election or by taking an oath of affiliation with a political party. (§§162.003, 162.006). A voter'southward affiliation with a party automatically expires at the end of each calendar yr, which is Dec 31. (§162.010). A voter who has affiliated themselves with a party is unable to participate in the party diplomacy of a party other than the political party that they have affiliated themselves with. (§§162.012, 162.013)

If a voter has not voted in a party master or taken an oath of affiliation with a political party this calendar year, they take not yet affiliated with whatever party. If a voter has not yet affiliated with a party, they are able to vote in either party's chief election. However, if a voter votes in the primary of 1 party, they will merely be able to vote in that political party'south primary runoff election. (§§162.012, 162.013) After being affiliated with a political party, a voter is not able to change or end your party affiliation until the finish of the calendar year. (§162.010)

Practice I have to register or affiliate with a party earlier I vote in the primary?

No. A registered voter is not required to pre-register or take any steps towards affiliating themselves with a party before voting in a political party's primary election. (§162.003) Additionally, when a person registers to vote in Texas, they do not register with any kind of political party affiliation.

Does a voter have to vote in the main election in order to vote in a runoff election?

No. Section eleven.001 of the Texas Election Code prescribes the specific qualifications necessary in order to vote in a Texas ballot. There is no requirement to have previously voted in the main election in order to participate in the subsequent run-off ballot.

If I accept voted for ane party in the past, exercise I take vote in the aforementioned political party's primary this year?

No. A voter's party affiliation ends at the terminate of each calendar year. Affiliation with a political party in a prior year does not bear upon what main an unaffiliated voter can vote in this twelvemonth. (§162.010)

How can I change my political party affiliation?

After affiliating with a party past voting in a political party's primary or by taking an oath of amalgamation with a party, a voter cannot change their political party affiliation during the calendar year. (§162.010)

What if I signed a petition for a candidate for a identify on the primary ballot?

If a voter signed a candidate's petition for a place on the main ballot, that voter is just able to vote in the primary of that candidate's party. For example, if a voter signed a Autonomous candidate's petition, that voter is unable to vote in the Republican master, and vice versa. (§172.026)

If I am non going to be eighteen in time for the main or primary runoff, simply will exist eighteen by the time of the full general ballot, can I vote in the primary?

No. A voter must have an effective registration on or before election twenty-four hour period in order to vote in that election. (§11.001). In Texas, the earliest a voter tin submit a voter registration awarding is when they are 17 years and 10 months former. (§13.001). All the same, this application is not constructive until a voter's 18th birthday. If a voter is not xviii on or before election twenty-four hours, their voter registration volition not be constructive prior to election twenty-four hours and they will not be able to vote in that election. All the same, a voter who turns 18 between primary election day, March 6, 2018, and primary runoff ballot 24-hour interval, May 22, 2018, tin register to vote and vote in the May 22, 2018 chief runoff election.

I voted in the Primary Election on March half dozen, 2018. Why did they ask if I wanted a Republican or Autonomous election? Why did I have to indicate party preference on my Application for a Ballot past Mail (ABBM)?

The chief elections are two split elections that occur on the aforementioned twenty-four hour period. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are selecting their nominees for the general ballot in November. When a voter votes in a principal election or master runoff election, they are affiliating with the party whose primary they are voting in. (§162.003). A voter who is affiliated with a political party is ineligible to go affiliated with another political party during the same voting year. (§162.012). This means a voter cannot vote in both principal elections, or the primary election of one party and the runoff election of another party. Some counties volition accept joint primaries and/or the parties volition share polling places. In a county where the Republican and Democratic parties are sharing polling places, the vote must place what primary they would like to vote in social club to ensure they receive the right ballot and are marked every bit voting in the correct primary election.

Since a voter cannot participate in both political party main elections, when voting by mail, a voter must indicate their party preference to ensure they receive the right ballot style.

Tin I vote in i party's principal election and some other political party's chief runoff election?

No. By voting in a party'southward primary election, a voter has affiliated themselves with that party and is unable to participate in the convention or runoff election of another party during that agenda year. (§§162.012, 162.013)

If I vote in a party's main, am I required to vote for that party's candidates in the November 6, 2018 full general election?

No. A voter who votes in the primary is not required to vote for a particular party's candidates in the succeeding general election.

What if I consider myself an contained, but wish to vote in a master election?

The act of voting in a primary ballot affiliates a voter with a political party. §162.003). Yet, if a voter has not otherwise affiliated themselves with a political political party, they are able to vote in the chief of either party.

Candidacy Affiliation Questions

I was a candidate in the primary election and I lost my race. Tin I run as an Contained Candidate in November?

No. A person that was a candidate for nomination in a master ballot is ineligible for a place on the ballot for the next general election for state and canton officers as an independent candidate for whatsoever office that had candidates in the primary election. (§162.015(a)).

I was a candidate in the primary election and I lost my race. Can I run as a write-in candidate in November?

A person that was a candidate for nomination for the chief ballot cannot run as a write-in candidate for the aforementioned part in the general election in November. However, the candidate could run equally a write-in candidate for a different role. (§ 162.015(b)).