Registered voters can find key election information below.
On the ballot
Constitutional amendment elections occur when state lawmakers adopt legislation that could change the Texas Constitution during a regular or specially-called legislative session. This year, lawmakers passed 14 constitutional amendments—13 during the regular session and one during a special session.
Texans can weigh in on property tax cuts, cost-of-living adjustments for retired public school employees, the mandatory retirement age for judges and more.
The Texas Constitution is one of the longest in the nation. It has been amended 517 times since its adoption in 1876, according to the Texas Legislative Reference Library. The U.S. Constitution, on the other hand, was amended for the 27th time in 1992.
In some communities, local bond propositions and city council elections are also on the ballot.
Click here for Community Impact’s local voter guide.
What you need to know
Voters must be 18 years old, be United States citizens and vote in the county where they live, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Convicted felons are not eligible to vote unless they have completed their full sentence, probation and parole.
During early voting, Texans can vote at any polling place in their county of residence. Registered voters can search for polling places through the state voter portal or contact their local election clerk. Hours of operation vary by polling location.
On Election Day, all polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Many counties near Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio will allow voters to visit any local polling location on Nov. 7, while some voters are required to visit an assigned precinct.
Voting precinct numbers are printed on voter registration certificates and can be found on the voter portal.
What to bring
Voters can bring written materials, such as notes, to help them cast their ballot.
However, voters may not promote any candidate, political party or ballot item within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling place. Wireless devices, such as cell phones, cameras, computers, sound recorders and more are also banned within 100 feet of voting stations.
Guns are not allowed at polling locations.
Voter ID requirements
Voters must take at least one of seven forms of identification to the polls:
- A Texas driver’s license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
- A Texas election ID certificate (issued by the DPS)
- A Texas personal ID card (issued by the DPS)
- A Texas handgun license (issued by the DPS)
- A U.S. military ID card with the voter’s photograph
- A U.S. citizenship certificate with the voter’s photograph
- A U.S. passport book or card
Texans without an approved ID can vote after signing a “reasonable impediment declaration” that states why they could not obtain one. They must present one of the following documents:
- A birth certificate
- A foreign birth document or other file confirming their birth and establishing their identity
- A current utility bill
- A bank statement
- A government check
- A paycheck
- A voter registration certificate
Voting by mail
Oct. 27 was the deadline to apply to vote by mail. To be eligible to vote by mail, Texans must be at least one of the following:
- 65 years old or older
- Sick or disabled
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Out of the county during early voting and on Election Day (including college students)
- Confined in jail but otherwise eligible
Voters who are physically unable to enter the polling place due to an illness, disability or injury can ask election officials to bring their ballot to the entrance of the building or to a car parked at the curb.
Under Senate Bill 477, which became law in June, each polling location must designate at least one parking space for voters who cannot enter the building. A sign with “large font that is clearly readable from a vehicle” must list a phone number for voters to call or text for curbside voting. Alternatively, officials can install a button or intercom that voters can use to get help.
Voters with disabilities can skip the line to cast their ballots. Signs explaining this rule must be posted at every entrance to the building, the law states.
Voters may also request assistance reading and marking their ballots at the polls. Voters are not required to prove that they have a disability.
Texans can visit www.votetexas.gov for more information about voting early and on Election Day.
