With Early Voting Beginning in February, Community Leaders Stress the Importance of Voter Registration Ahead of the March 2026 Primaries
The new year has arrived and now we must take a very close look at what’s on the calendar and how to maximize our efforts, in order to have a greater impact and positive outcomes in the elections of 2026.
The Spring primary races, for each party’s nomination, will take place on March 3, 2026. Early Voting is scheduled to begin on February 17 and ends on February 27, 2026. Voter regulations require that “eligible voters must be registered thirty days prior to an election.”Calendar wise, there’s only a small window for first time voters to get registered, before early voting is set to begin. Previously registered citizens can check their registration status, at www.bexar.org/elections. If a person has changed their name or their address, it is imperative for them to have that information updated.
In recent history, community efforts have focused on Voter Registration Drives, to maximize increasing voter turnout and participation. Herein, we will take a look at what a Voter Registration Drive entails.
Related: The SA Observer Catches Up With Rep. Jasmine Crockett
A Coordinated Effort to Register Voters
A Voter Registration Drive is characterized as “a coordinated effort to encourage and assist eligible citizens in registering to vote”. Drives increase civic participation by systematically reaching out to unregistered individuals. Legal oversight is reportedly “necessary to ensure integrity,” especially since activities involve handling official government forms and sensitive personal information. The rules governing Voter Registration Drives maintain a neutral and lawful environment for citizen registration. Interested parties would be required to obtain a “certificate of appointment” from the County Voter Registrar.
A voter registration drive is legally defined as “the organized distribution and collection of voter registration applications, by two or more individuals for subsequent delivery to an election authority.” In this scenario, the election authority for Bexar County residents is Bexar County Elections.
“Volunteer Deputy Registrars”
Assisting with voter registrations, the State allows for “Volunteer Deputy Registrars”, who are entrusted with the responsibility of “officially registering voters in the State of Texas.” They are appointed by County voter registrars and charged with helping “increase voter registration in the state.” to be appointed as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Be a United States citizen,
- Not have been determined, by a final judgement of a court, exercising probate jurisdiction, to be totally incapacitated, or partially mentally incapacitated, without the right to vote,
- Never have been convicted of failing to deliver a voter application to a voter registrar,
- Not have been convicted of a felony, or, if convicted, must have fully discharged the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation, ordered by any court, or been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote,
- Not have been finally convicted of identity theft, under Sec 32.51 of the penal code, and
- Be a resident of the State of Texas.
Given the importance of getting registered AND getting to the polls to vote, some would not need to be reminded of the importance of voting, in every election. Our vote sends a variety of persons, to represent us and to serve in our best interests. Those who have met our requirements, have been closely scrutinized and won our trust must now act on our collective behalf and in our best interests. When we care about schools and our children, public safety, the aging population, affordable housing, decent employment, and affordability, we must have representation that stands with the community and fulfills the needs and exceeds the expectations of the community.
As previously noted: “Elections have benefits and consequences – we hope the community would prefer the former as opposed to the latter.”
