The Senate race is sure to be the one to watch, with State Rep. James Talarico (right) and US Rep. Jasmine Crockett vying for the Democratic nomination. (John Pesina/Shutterstock)
As early voting closes ahead of Texas’ primary elections, some Houston-area voters say they are approaching the candidates with a renewed sense of urgency, citing concerns ranging from immigration and public education to civil rights and community safety.
Roughly 270,000 people cast early ballots in Harris County for the March 3 primary, combining both in‑person and returned mail ballots. This figure comes from the county clerk’s unofficial totals as of Feb. 27, the final day of early voting. Democratic early voting totaled about 169,000, while Republican early voting came in at about 101,000.
Hannah Ali, 22, a Rice University student and registered Democrat, said she is prioritizing candidates who rely on individual donations over political action committees. She also cited immigration policy, the handling of federal detention facilities, and the state of public education as key issues affecting her vote.
“For governor, it’s whoever is more likely to replace Abbott and has the greatest chance of doing so,” she said.
Afsheen Khan, 24, a University of Houston student who identifies politically as proletariat, said she is motivated by what she described as a disconnect between government priorities and the lived experiences of many Texans. She pointed to concerns about rising Islamophobia, restrictions on protest, and the treatment of detainees in federal immigration facilities. She also raised concerns about healthcare access and women’s health outcomes.
“Ultimately, I’m looking for leaders who will prioritize human rights, transparency, and policies that actually serve the people, not political donors or special interests,” she said.
For Zahra Gokal, 23, a University of Houston alumna and Democrat, public safety and quality of life are top of mind.
“This doesn’t just mean safety from crime, but also security in a person’s livelihood and children’s education being protected,” she said. Gokal added that she wants a candidate who “genuinely cares for their constituents’ well-being, even if it means being willing to stand against higher powers.”
Other voters expressed similar concerns. Some said national political developments have pushed them to participate more actively.
“I just started really voting,” said Marris McNeal, who cast a ballot at Sunnyside Multipurpose Center. “When Trump got in office, I was just like, I gotta vote.”
Another voter, Hasslly Barahona, said economic pressures and political tensions have made civic participation feel more urgent.
“If we don’t speak up or vote, we can’t really complain about how things are going,” she said.
Official primary Election Day is March 3, and sample ballots are available on the county’s elections page.
