AUSTIN, Texas – Today marks the first day of early voting in the March 5th Primary Election. 2024 is set to be the most important election in recent history, and to prepare for this moment – the Texas Democratic Party has taken significant operational measures ahead of the Primary to recruit and assist candidates, increase turnout, and support Texas voters. 

Candidate Recruitment and Support: The Lone Star Rising program, aimed at recruiting candidates and county chairs while offering direct campaign support statewide, has significantly bolstered the total number of Democrats running for offices up and down the ballot.

Texas Democratic candidates will be contesting seats in the following races: 

• Every statewide office up this cycle, with 12 candidates combined running for U.S. Senate and Railroad Commissioner. 

• Every Texas Supreme Court seat up this cycle, with 4 candidates running. 

• Every seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals, with 3 candidates running. 

• Every seat on the State Board of Education, with 7 candidates running. 

• Every state senate seat that is up next year, with 22 candidates running.  

• 85% of the seats in the Texas House, with 162 candidates running.

2024 Vote-by-Mail Program: This program builds upon our decades-long effort to increase voter turnout among Democratic seniors aged 65 and above. The bilingual form allows recipients to apply to receive annual ballots by mail for the 2024 calendar year, including the March 5th Democratic Primary, the May 28th Runoff, and the November General elections. Because of this program, nearly 60,000 eligible Texas Democrats will receive a mail ballot in every election this year, and more applications are expected to be returned ahead of the Friday, February 23rd deadline. 

Voter Assistance Hotline (844) TX-VOTES: The Texas Democratic Party is proud to run one of the largest, most effective voter protection programs in the country. Powered by staff, voting experts, attorneys and volunteers – our Voter Assistance Hotline runs all year long to address questions or problems that may occur at the ballot box. With a team of  nearly 60 volunteers, the hotline has already completed upwards of 5,000 Primary voter help requests.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“There’s no doubt that Texas Democrats are putting in the necessary work to achieve big victories in 2024. We’re proud to work in coordination with allied partners, organizations, and Democratic County Parties to build our Democratic base and strengthen the democratic process. Our programs are designed so that every volunteer and voter serves as a lasting part of our movement for a blue Texas far beyond this Primary Election season. This work is setting the stage for transformative change, one that reflects the true values and diversity of Texas.”

Questions from the public about voting in person or voting by mail can be directed to the Voter Assistance Hotline at 844-TX-VOTES

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