If you turn 18 by the general election, you could vote in the primary before that
What it does
HB 312 would let a person who will be 18 on the date of the next general election for state and county officers vote in the primary election, as long as they meet every other voter requirement. Registration rules would change to match, so a person could register as a voter at 17 years and 10 months old for that primary. The secretary of state would set the procedures after consulting with the state chair of each party that nominates candidates in primaries, and a registrar could send a written notice telling a young voter they are eligible only for the primary. The bill takes effect only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters, and it has no effect if voters reject that amendment.
What it means for your community
A high school senior who will be 18 by the general election could help pick the nominees for state and county office instead of waiting until November. A voter who registers under this rule is eligible only for a primary or runoff primary until turning 18, and the registrar can send a written notice saying so. Voting rules for anyone already eligible would not change, and the whole bill waits on a constitutional amendment that Texas voters would decide.
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