Officials brace for challenges of high turnout

Voting and caucusing may be a bigger challenge than usual today for many Texans in today's primary elections.

Among the possible problems: long lines filled with thousands of first-time voters and precinct caucuses expected to attract record numbers of people.

Polling locations were selected weeks before anyone knew that the Texas presidential primary would become so important. Now local party and election officials are worried about whether the locations will be able to handle the crowds at the precinct caucuses. They're also concerned about parking at some locations.

Here's a primer on what to expect at your polling place today:

How to cast your primary ballot

Who: Registered voters who didn't vote early or by mail

When: Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Go to the polling location associated with your precinct, not your early voting location. At www.tarrantcounty.com/evote, you can find the location by entering your name; you can also call 817-831-8683.

Why: To help your preferred presidential candidate gain delegates to the national convention, and to support candidates in state and local races.

How: You will have two options: You can fill out a paper ballot and feed it directly into a scanner, or vote on an electronic voting machine. At least one electronic machine will be set up at every polling location.

How to participate in the precinct caucus

Who: Anyone who voted in either primary today, early or by mail. Voters can participate only in the precinct caucus of the party whose primary they voted in.

When: The Democratic precinct caucuses start at 7:15 p.m. The Republican precinct caucuses start at 7:30 p.m. Campaigns are advising voters to arrive early. If there are people still voting after 7 p.m., the precinct caucuses will not officially start until everyone at that site has voted. A long line of voters at 7 p.m. could delay the caucus by at least an hour.

Where: Your election-day polling place, even if you voted early. Voters can participate only in the caucus for their precinct.

Why: The Democratic caucuses will determine how 42 delegates are divvied up between the Democratic presidential candidates. The Republican caucuses are held largely to elect delegates to attend high-level caucuses and will not affect how many delegates the candidates receive.

How: Each precinct caucus will be started by "the temporary chair." In many cases, this person will be the local precinct chair. In some precincts, this will be the first person who arrives and asks to start the process.

For Democrats only: Democratic primary voters will sign in at the start of the precinct caucus. They will note which presidential candidate they are backing when they sign in. Once everyone who has signed in has been verified as having voted in the Democratic primary, participants will elect a permanent chair and permanent secretary. The permanent chair will tally the number of supporters for each presidential candidate and determine how many delegates from that precinct will be sent to the Senate district convention March 29. Participants will then nominate and elect delegates and alternates to go. If anyone has resolutions to be considered for the Democratic Party's platform, those will be voted on. Meeting adjourned.

For Republicans only: Primary voters will sign in at the start of the precinct caucus but will not state their presidential preference. They will elect a permanent chair and secretary, then delegates and alternates to go to the Senate district convention. If anyone has resolutions to be considered for the Republican Party's platform, those will be voted on. Meeting adjourned.