Deadline to register to vote in Texas is Feb. 2

Texans have less than a week left to register to vote before March's primary elections.

Why it matters: The primaries will determine the Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress, state Legislature and statewide offices, including governor.

• The Republican primary is likely to determine statewide races.

The big picture: Democrats are seeking to retake the majority in the U.S. House and Senate in the November midterms.

How it works: Voters have to pick whether to vote in the Republican primary or the Democratic primary.

• You don't have to be affiliated with either party to vote in a primary.

Key dates: Applications to register to vote must be postmarked no later than Monday.

• Early voting is Feb. 17-27. Election day is March 3.

What you can do: Check whether your voter registration is active.

• To register, you can fill out the application online but you must print and sign the paperwork to mail.

Zoom in: Voter registration must be completed with your county elections office.

• Check your county's websites if you need help: Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County, Rockwall County and Tarrant County