San Antonio voters are staring down a short but high-stakes sprint to primary runoff Election Day on Tuesday, May 26, with early voting squeezed into the week before. Local ballots will decide a mix of federal, statewide and county offices, and Democrats in Bexar County will pick their nominee for criminal district attorney. With the calendar packed tight, the basics like dates, ID rules and mail ballot deadlines are doing a lot of the heavy lifting this time.
When to vote and how long polls are open
Early voting for the May 26 primary runoff runs from Monday, May 18 through Friday, May 22. On Election Day itself, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you still get to vote, according to the Texas Secretary of State.
Deadlines for mail ballots and who is eligible
The last day county election offices can receive an application for a ballot by mail is Friday, May 15, and “received by” is the key phrase here. Applications must arrive by that date, not simply be postmarked. Bexar County Elections outlines who qualifies to vote by mail, including voters who are 65 or older, will be out of the county, or have an illness or disability, and it also details how and where to submit applications and return completed ballots.
What you’ll see on your Bexar County ballot
Your ballot will depend on your party and precinct, but the May 26 runoffs feature federal, statewide and county contests that did not produce majority winners in March. Coverage from KENS5 breaks down which offices will appear on Republican and Democratic ballots in Bexar County, including countywide races such as the Democratic contest for criminal district attorney and several statewide offices advancing to runoff.
Races to watch
Locally, the Democratic runoff for Bexar County criminal district attorney is a top ticket item for many voters, with the two finalists drawing clear lines on prosecution and reform, according to reporting from the San Antonio Report. Several statewide matchups, including the race for attorney general, will also be settled on May 26 and will lock in party nominees for November, as detailed by The Texas Tribune. On the congressional front, the U.S. House District 23 seat is vacant after Rep. Tony Gonzales’ April resignation, a shakeup that has reshaped the Republican side of that race and altered the fall map, according to Texas Public Radio.
Where to find your vote center and sample ballot
Bexar County Elections publishes a full list of vote centers and early voting locations across the city and also posts sample ballots so you can confirm exactly what you will see in your precinct. If you are not sure where to go, check the county’s voter page or the election notice for the closest vote center and early voting site.
Quick tips before you go
Bring an accepted form of photo ID: a Texas driver’s license, election identification certificate, personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or U.S. citizenship certificate. Double-check all deadlines now rather than scrambling on Election Day. For official checklists, a full rundown of what is on the runoff ballot and any last-minute details, rely on the Texas Secretary of State and Bexar County Elections, along with additional statewide runoff context from The Texas Tribune.
