Texas Primary Turnout

[jimrtex]

In Texas, party primaries are conducted by the political parties, and more precisely the county political parties.  If a political party is not organized in a county, that party does not hold a primary in that county.  Even if both parties hold a primary, most voters may choose to vote in one party's primary.  Often, one party is dominant in local politics.  The county judge, county commissioners, and county clerks are chosen in the primary.  In much of the state, this also true of the legislature.  In East Texas among the lowest 20 numbered districts for the Texas House there are four Democratic candidates.

There is no party registration in Texas.  Each election cycle, voters are issued a new registration card.   When they vote in a primary it is stamped.   If there is a primary runoff, they must stick with that party.  Otherwise, there is no permanent affiliation.  If you want to vote in the Democratic primary, you go to the Democratic polling place, and  pledge "I am a Democrat and understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party's primary election or convention during this voting year."



Counties in dark blue (21) had had no Democratic primary.  Counties in dark red (8) had no Republican primary.   This is somewhat surprising.  The Republican Party announced before the primary that they had county chairs in all 254 counties.  And a law passed in 2013 permitted state parties to contract with county election officials to conduct a party primary for statewide officials - and this was at the direct behest of the two parties.  That is both parties wanted a statewide primary, but didn't manage to pull it off.

Counties with a light blue tint (158) had 80% or more voters vote in the Republican primary.  There were 124 counties which were over 90% Republican or had no Democratic primary.   15 counties with a pink tint had 80% or more voters vote in the Democratic primary.  There were 18 counties which were over 90% Democratic or had no Republican primary.

The other counties have the percentage of voters who voted in the majority party's primary.   Loving had 10 Democratic and 10 Republican voters.

In total, there were 209 Republican majority counties, 44 Democratic, and one tied.