Early voting begins Tuesday for March 4 primary elections

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Early voting for the March 4 Texas primary elections begins Tuesday and runs through Feb. 27, giving registered voters across the state the chance to weigh in on contested races at every level of government. Texas operates as an open primary state, meaning registered voters may choose either the Republican or Democratic primary ballot regardless of party affiliation. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the polling location. Among the statewide contests drawing attention is the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. John Cornyn, which features competitive primary races on both the Republican and Democratic sides. Cooke County voters should contact the Cooke County Elections Office for a complete list of local early voting locations, hours and ballot information. Polling hours across the state generally run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays during the early voting period, with limited weekend hours varying by county. For more information about Cooke County elections, visit the county website at co.cooke.tx.us or contact the Elections Office.