In less than a month, voters will arrive at polling locations for early voting to cast their ballots on several positions within the state and federal governments.
After months of candidates campaigning and meeting with voters, the races will come to a head Nov. 3 on Election Day.
This election includes a gubernatorial race, where the governor is chosen, said Janet Mattern, League of Women Voters of Tarrant County president. A gubernatorial election is held two years after the presidential election.
This election cycle is also considered a midterm, which happens halfway through a presidential term and brings the 435 seats of the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate to the ballot for voters to decide on, according to the U.S. Vote Foundation.
Several government positions are on the ballot, with candidates vying for positions including governor, which has a four-year term with the power to sign or veto bills from the legislature and lead Texas’ military in cases of emergency. Gov. Greg Abbott, who currently holds the position, is running against Gina Hinojosa and Pat Dixon.
A U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot. The elected official serves a six-year term and represents the entire state in Congress by writing and passing federal laws, approving presidential nominees and helping oversee the executive branch and federal agencies. Ted Brown, Ken Paxton and James Talarico are running.
Also on the ballot are the attorney general, who serves a four-year term representing the state in civil litigation; the lieutenant governor, who has a four-year term presiding over the Texas Senate; and the state comptroller, who serves a four-year term as the state’s chief financial officer and treasurer, collecting taxes and allocating educational funds through the school voucher program. Several people are running for each office.
Other important positions, such as the land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, railroad commissioner and state judicial positions like judges and justices for the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, are on the ballot.
“Texas allows voters the freedom to vote for whichever candidate in whichever race they would like to have, and that’s why it’s important to look at all the candidates, regardless of political party, to make sure that the candidate that they select is the one who best will serve their values and their needs,” Mattern said.
The work for this election began months ago with the primaries in March, where the Democratic and Republican parties picked candidates for statewide legislative and congressional seats, Mattern said.
During a primary election, voters choose candidates for the general election from one of the major political parties.
The Democratic and Republican parties participated in the primary elections. The primaries can be either a joint election or a separate one, she said.
This year’s primaries had several runoffs, which happen when no candidate makes it over the 50% threshold. Runoff elections are common, Mattern said.
She said that while the primaries and the runoff elections determine who runs for specific parties, the Nov. 3 election will determine who will actually be in office. Further runoffs will take place if necessary.
In addition to the Republican and Democratic parties, independent parties and people who are not associated with a political party can run in the general election. Independent parties choose candidates at conventions, Mattern said.
There are also write-in candidates, Mattern said. These candidates are not listed on the ballot, but voters can select the option for a write-in on the voting machines.
In addition to statewide races, county races will be held, with positions like county judge and county commissioner on the ballot, Mattern said.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and ends Oct. 30. Polling locations are different for early and Election Day voting, Mattern said. Polling locations can be found on county and city websites.
“Voting early is the best way to make sure that your vote counts,” she said.
She said the only way to improve the community and to see laws passed or changed in a way residents want is through voting. It’s important to know what is on the ballot and what candidates are running before arriving at the polls, Mattern said.
“Encourage your family members and friends to get others out to the polls,” she said. “The more people that participate, the more likely we are to be able to make real change.”
She said citizens should vote so they can have the most representative government.
“If you only have a few people participating in the process, you will end up with someone who is elected who doesn’t stand for what you want,” Mattern said.
“Go vote. Voting is critical.”