2010 Primary Election Guide

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 19 February 2010

AUSTIN — Republican Statewide Candidates
Republican Travis County Candidates
Republican Williamson County Candidates
Democratic Statewide Candidates
Democratic Travis County Candidates
Democratic Williamson County Candidates

Early voting anywhere

Voters can vote at any early polling location. For Travis County polling locations, visit www.co.travis.tx.us.

For Williamson County polling locations, visit www.williamson-county.org/elections

Voter registration

Voters must be registered 30 days before an election. To register in Travis County, visit www.traviscountytax.org or call 854-9473.

To register in Williamson County, visit www.williamson-county.org or call 943-1630.

Primary Election dates

• Primary Election date: March 2, 2010
• First day of early voting: Feb. 16
• Last day to apply for ballot by mail: Feb. 23
• Last day of early voting: Feb. 26

Runoff Election dates (If needed)

• Primary Runoff Election date: April 13, 2010
• First day to apply for ballot by mail: Feb. 12
• Last day to register to vote: March 15
• First day of early voting: April 5
• Last day to apply for ballot by mail: April 6
• Last day of early voting: April 9

Questions & Answers

Q. What is the primary election?

A. This election is held before the general election. Voters of each party nominate candidates for office, party officers, etc.

Q. Can I vote in both the Republican and Democratic primaries?

A. No. In Texas, voters can participate in the primary election by voting Democrat or Republican, but cannot vote in both. Independent candidates are not included on the Texas primary ballot. Once a voter participates in the primary election, he or she is designated a member of the party for which he or she voted for the next two years and is ineligible to participate in the opposing party’s primary election.

Q. Will I vote at the same polling location for the March primary and the November election?

A. Not necessarily. The number of voters is typically lower for the primary election so the elections office consolidates precincts to vote at fewer polling locations.

Q. Who is eligible for a mail-in ballot?

A. You may request a ballot by mail if you will be out of the county on Election Day and during early voting, if you are sick or disabled, or if you are 65 years old or older on Election Day.

Q. Can I vote for Libertarian candidates?

A. No. The Libertarian Party does not have a primary election. The party holds a convention to choose its candidates.

Q. How is the order of candidates on the ballot chosen?

A. The candidate order is determined by a random drawing.

The candidates listed in this guide will be on the 2010 Primary Election ballot in the communities defined by Community Impact Newspaper’s Round Rock and Pflugerville coverage area. Candidates without photos were not able to be reached before press time. The official Williamson County sample ballot was not available as of press time; the candidate lists were provided by their respective parties, which are responsible for the primary elections.