Harris County early voting opens Feb. 17 with 60 locations, ballot changes

Harris County voters can cast early ballots at 60 countywide locations after early voting opened Feb. 17, a 10-day window that runs through Feb. 27 ahead of the March 3 primary election that will determine November midterm candidates. HarrisVotes.com lists the county’s official early voting schedule and encourages voters to check their personalized sample ballots before arriving at the polls.

The HarrisVotes early voting hours are: Feb. 17-21, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Feb. 22, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Feb. 23-27, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. HarrisVotes also notes that Election Day is March 3 and Houston Public Media reports Harris County will open more than 200 polling locations that day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters registered in Harris County may cast a primary ballot at any polling location across the county during early voting.

Texas’ primary rules allow voters to choose either party’s ballot, but only one per election. As Houston Public Media explains, “Primary elections in Texas are considered 'open,' meaning that anyone, regardless of their party affiliation, can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.” The outlet adds, “However, voters are only able to vote in one primary. So, if someone votes in the Republican primary, they are not able to vote in the Democratic primary, and vice versa, during that election.”

KHOU has published voter guidance for Harris County titled in part, “What voters need to know: Early voting in Texas’ March 3, 2026, primary opened Tuesday, Feb. 17, and KHOU published an in-depth guide explaining how and where Harris County residents can cast early ballots, what has changed on ballots this year and what voters should check before they go to the poll.” Specific ballot changes are detailed in KHOU’s guide and voters should review their sample ballot on HarrisVotes.com to see contests and candidates that will appear in their precinct.

Vote-by-mail applicants should note HarrisVotes’ posted deadline to apply for a ballot by mail: FEB 20. HarrisVotes also reminds the public that “Voter Registration is managed by the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar” and provides navigation for “Vote by Mail,” “Voters With Disabilities,” and “First-Time Voters.”

METRO will offer free round-trip rides during early voting on local buses, light rail, curb2curb and METROLift; Houston Public Media reports that to qualify riders must show the operator or fare inspector either their voter ID or other approved documentation. The county’s elections team posted on Facebook: “One week to go! Early Voting for the March 3, 2026, Primary Elections begins February 17 and runs through February 27. Stay informed and make a plan to vote early. Find your personalized sample ballot and voting locations at HarrisVotes.com. #harrisvotes #harriscountyelections #primaries2026” That post showed 50 reactions, 1 comment and 67 shares as captured on the department’s page.

A commenter under the Harris County Elections Department post identified as “Greyhound GOTTA GO” wrote about concerns with the Harris County 280th District Court under Judge Diane Curvey, saying in part, “Protective order cases carry profound consequences, and it is essential that every litigant be afforded strict adherence to constitutional safeguards and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.” For official voting information, use HarrisVotes.com to locate your sample ballot, confirm polling locations and note the mail-ballot application cutoff of Feb. 20.