Monday is voter registration deadline for the March primaries; How to make sure you're registered

If you're planning on casting a ballot in next month's primary election, you're running out of time to make sure you're registered to vote.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're planning on casting a ballot in next month's primary election, you're running out of time to make sure you're registered to vote.

The deadline to register for the March 5 primaries is Monday, Feb. 5.

Millions of Texans are expected to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries, in which voters will choose the candidates who will represent the parties in the November general election.

You can check your registration status using a voter portal run by the Texas Secretary of State's office.

If you need to register, you must print, sign and mail an application form to your county voter registrar. Texas does not allow for online registration. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 5 to vote in this year's primary election.

If you've moved to a new county, you must register with your new address. If you've moved within the same county, or if you've changed your name, you can update your registration using your voter unique identifier number (VUID), which can be found in the voter portal.

You are eligible to register to vote if you meet the following criteria:

• You are are U.S. citizen
• You are a resident of the county where you submit the application
• You are at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your application is submitted, and you are at least 18 years old by Election Day
• You are not a convicted felon (those who have completed their sentence, probation and parole may be eligible to vote)
  You have not been declared either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court exercising probate jurisdiction

Early voting in the primaries begins on Feb. 20 and runs through March 1. Election Day is Tuesday, March 5. The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail, if you are disabled or aged 65 or older, is Feb. 23.

Data from the Secretary of State's office shows as of January, almost 17.9 million Texans are registered to vote, an 11% increase since January 2020.