Early voting began today for the Republican and Democratic primary elections in Texas. The early voting period runs through Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Election day is March 1. Early voting in person is an easy and convenient way to avoid the hassles of trying to get to the polls on election day. Unlike voting on election day, early voters do not have to vote at their assigned precinct location. Simply go to any early voting location in your county to cast your ballot. To find early voting locations and hours in your area, check your local newspaper or contact your local voter registrar's office. Remember that you must show valid photo identification under state law in order to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include but are not limited to a valid Texas driver's license, an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a Texas concealed handgun license, a U.S. military ID card, or a U.S. passport. In certain circumstances, you may also be eligible to vote early by mail. Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received no later than Feb. 19 for the March primary elections; March 1 is the last day for mail-in ballots to be received. Here are some additional resources for voters:

• Search and view profiles of candidates for the Texas legislature and State Board of Education on our 2016 Races page right here on TeachtheVote.org. Read their responses to the ATPE Candidate Survey, find out which major endorsements they've earned, and consider the voting records of incumbent legislators.

• Visit the Texas Secretary of State's VoteTexas.gov website for a wealth of information on voting. It includes links to the Am I Registered website, where you can find a customized list of polling places in your county. VoteTexas.gov also includes guidance on photo ID requirements, information for voters with special needs, and more.

• At the national website Vote411.org hosted by the League of Women Voters, you can enter your address to receive a personalized sample ballot with biographical information and survey responses on some candidates, confirm your registration status, and find additional information.

• Learn about special rules for what educators legally can and cannot do during an election. Check out the Voter's Guide on our partners' website for the TexasEducatorsVote.com coalition.

• Check out our Teach the Vote blog for additional background information on the primary elections and what's at stake. Find out why so many races in Texas are decided by the March 1 primary and not the November general election. Read about ballot propositions that Republican and Democratic primary voters will be asked to consider. Learn more about ATPE's involvement in the TexasEducatorsVote.com coalition that is working to facilitate early voting by school employees. Find out which candidates earned the endorsement of Texas Parent PAC, a pro-public education advocacy group that works to elect candidates who will help defeat private school vouchers and other harmful education reform proposals.