Vote 2013 thumbnail

The final day to register for the upcoming November elections is Oct. 7. Election Day is Nov. 5 throughout the state.

According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, to register to vote, residents need to meet the following requirements:

  • must be U.S. citizens
  • must be 18 years old on Election Day
  • must be a resident of the county in which they submit an application to register
  • must not be a convicted felon
  • must not have been declared "mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated."

Residents who are unsure if they are already registered can check their status online. Residents can search by their Texas driver's license number, voter unique identifier or last and first name.

The site also includes links to the voter registration application and gives residents the option of having an application mailed to them.

Voter ID required

Beginning with this November's election, Texas voters will be required to present one of seven specific forms of photo identification before they may cast their ballot.

Under Senate Bill 14, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2011 but did not take effect until a June 25 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, voters must present one of the following forms of identification to vote:

  • Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
  • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
  • Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
  • U.S. military identification card containing the cardholder's photograph
  • U.S. citizenship certificate containing the cardholder's photograph
  • U.S. passport

The following forms of ID will not be accepted:

  • Student ID
  • Utility bills
  • Identity cards issued by employers
  • Driver's license more than 60 days expired

Voters who do not have a valid form of ID can apply for an election identification certificate for no cost at any driver's license office. The EIC is valid for six years, but any EIC issued to a voter older than 70 has no expiration date. Details on how to apply for an EIC are available on the DPS website.

Through Nov. 2, about 50 DPS offices throughout the state will be open from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturdays to give residents more hours to apply for an EIC. Residents may download or view a list of DPS offices open on Saturdays at www.dps.texas.gov/driverlicense/. Click on the yellow sticky note image to see the list.

Key dates

  • Last day to register to vote: Oct. 7
  • Early voting: Oct. 21–Nov. 1
  • Last day to apply for a ballot by mail: Oct. 25
  • Last day to receive ballots by mail: Nov. 5
  • Election Day: Nov. 5; polls will be open from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Polling locations

During early voting, voters may cast their ballot at any polling location in their county of residence.

For a list of early voting locations and hours in Harris County, go to www.harrisvotes.org.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on Election Day. For a list of Election Day polling locations in Harris County, go to www.harrisvotes.org.

Compiled by Annie Drabicky. Additional reporting by Shawn Arrajj, and Brett Thorne.