Learn about all the options to vote in Texas to make a plan to vote that works for you!
Texas Board of Elections Phone Number: (800) 252-VOTE
Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!
Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.
Request and track
Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Texas.
Excuse required to vote by mail.
Voting by mail is a two step process in Texas.
Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is October 28th. You must have an excuse to qualify to vote with an absentee ballot.
Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.
Remember to sign your return ballot. After you complete your ballot, be sure to sign the ballot carrier envelope. Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.
If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot. You can also return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense).
You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or early voting locations.
Only YOU can hand-deliver or return a ballot by mail, unless you complete the assistance portion of the carrier envelope.
Track your ballot by clicking here.
If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return, you may go to your polling place and vote in person. You may be asked to use a provisional ballot. This is better than not voting, but may not be counted.
Texas does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.
Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local elections office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot.
You may cure your ballot until the close of polls on Election Day by mail. You may cure your ballot until the 6th day after Election Day in person at the county clerk’s office.
You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick so you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote is counted.
Texas voters must show ID at the polls in order to vote. The following forms of ID are accepted:
All IDs must contain a photo and be either unexpired or expired up to four years, unless voter is age 70 or older, then the document can be expired.
If voter does not have one of the above documents, then show:
AND
Complete with signature a Reasonable Impediment Declaration- please note an election officer can not question the reasonableness of your impediment
If voting by mail the voter will need to submit an acceptable ID if this is the first time they are applying to vote by mail in Texas. The voter does not need to send ID in with their ballot, but the signature on the ballot will be matched to the signature on the voter registration form.
Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.
Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.
You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.
You can return your mail-in ballot to your early voting site.
To find early voting locations in Texas, visit the the My Voter Page.
Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.
In Texas, you can preregister to vote if you are 17 years and 10 months. Register to vote today!
Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!
You can not vote in the Texas primaries if you are 17 by the next election.
