Early in-person voting for the March 3, 2026, joint primary is officially underway across Hays County, giving voters a 10-day head start on casting their ballots. The early voting window runs from Feb. 17 to 27, and the county is using a vote-center system that lets any registered voter cast a ballot at any open polling place during early voting or on Election Day. Expect the heaviest traffic at the Hays County Elections Office and at popular campus and city hall locations in San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda.
Where and when to vote
According to Hays County, early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 17 to 20; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 and again Feb. 23 to 27; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. The county document lists the Hays County Elections Office as the main early-voting hub and names LBJ Student Center at Texas State, Kyle City Hall, Buda City Hall, Patriots' Hall of Dripping Springs and the Wimberley Community Center among the open vote centers. Every site is ADA accessible and offers curbside voting for those who need it.
What to bring
Texas law requires an acceptable form of photo ID to vote in person. Common options include a Texas driver’s license, an Election Identification Certificate, a Texas personal ID, a Texas handgun license, a U.S. military ID, a U.S. citizenship certificate, or a U.S. passport. Voters who do not have one of those IDs and cannot reasonably obtain one may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls and present a supporting form of ID, such as a current utility bill or bank statement. See the Texas Secretary of State for the full list of acceptable identification and detailed instructions.
Sample ballots and accessibility
Combined sample ballots for the March 3 primary are posted by the county in English and Spanish so voters can review statewide and local contests before they head to the polls. The county's sample ballot PDFs, including the combined party ballots, list the candidates and propositions that will appear at the vote centers. Taking a few minutes to look them over ahead of time can help you move more quickly through the line. The vote-center list also confirms curbside and ADA-accessible options at every site, so voters with mobility or accessibility needs can plan the best location.
Plan ahead
The application deadline for a ballot by mail to be received by the elections office is Feb. 20, so voters who want to use that option do not have much wiggle room. You can check your registration status, find polling locations, and track mail ballots through the My Voter Portal on VoteTexas. If you are trying to avoid the longest waits, local election resources and the portal will have the most current information on locations and hours. Bring your ID, budget a little extra time for lines at peak sites, and consider a smaller community location if you are aiming for a quick in-and-out trip to the polls.
