Time is almost up for El Paso residents who still need to get on the voter rolls. Anyone who is not yet registered has until Monday, April 27, to sign up for the statewide primary runoff set for Tuesday, May 26. The same cutoff applies if you need to update your name or address so that it is effective 30 days before Election Day. County officials say walk-in applications will be accepted at the local elections office through the deadline.
Where to register in El Paso
The El Paso County Elections Department is taking in-person registrations at its downtown office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 314. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Local station KVIA reported the office will stay open until 5 p.m. on the final registration day for last-minute filers.
According to the El Paso County Elections Department, registration forms are also available at U.S. post offices, Department of Public Safety offices, El Paso Public Libraries, Texas Health and Human Services Commission offices, and at local high schools. Printable English and Spanish applications are posted online for anyone who wants to fill out the form before heading in.
Who can vote in the runoff?
If you voted in the March primary, Texas law and the state’s election guidance say you are now affiliated with that party for the year and may only vote in that same party’s runoff. Voters who sat out the March primary can choose either party’s runoff in May. That guidance is laid out by the Texas Secretary of State. If you are not sure how you were recorded in March, check your voting history before the registration deadline so there are no surprises at the polls.
Deadlines, mail and certificates
Texas requires voter registrations to be completed 30 days before Election Day, which makes April 27 the last day to get registered for the May 26 runoff, according to VoteTexas. After you apply, the county notes that a Voter Registration Certificate is mailed to you within about 30 days. Voters who plan to vote by mail should also review the separate ballot-by-mail deadlines and identification requirements listed on state and county election pages.
What’s on the ballot
The May runoffs pack several high-profile statewide matchups into one election day. The Texas Tribune lists two Democratic and four Republican statewide races headed to May 26 runoffs, including contests for U.S. Senate and attorney general. The winners will move on to the November general-election ballot and could reshape the statewide field voters see this fall. For a full list of contests that may appear on your ballot, check the Tribune’s runoff ballot page.
Quick tips
If you are registering at the last minute, the safest move is to hand-deliver your completed form to the Elections Department office to avoid postal delays, and bring a valid ID with you. You can check your current registration status and preview a sample ballot through VoteTexas. The Elections Department can answer questions at (915) 273-3597, and local voter resources, plus an English and Spanish application, are available on the county’s elections site.
