Keep reading for information on how to register to vote and check your voter registration status. To get to know candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/election.
What you need to know
Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence. Texans can also contact or visit their local election office to register.
Texas does not allow online voter registration unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Reside in the county they apply to vote in
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
- Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court
To check voter registration status, click here. Registered voters can update their address and other information online or contact their local voter registrar.
Registered voters who recently moved to a new address within the same county or political subdivision and do not update their address by Oct. 6 can continue to vote in the precinct where their previous address was located. Voters in the following counties can vote at any polling place within their county of residence through the countywide voting program: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson.
Dates to know
- Oct. 6: Last day to register to vote or update information
- Oct. 20: Early in-person voting begins
- Oct. 24: Last day to apply to vote by mail
- Oct. 31: Early in-person voting ends
- Nov. 4: Election Day
On the ballot
Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers earlier this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute.
Houston-area voters can vote for one of 16 candidates for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election to fill the congressional seat in April after former U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died March 4.
Tarrant County voters will see a special election for state Senate District 9 on their ballots after former state Sen. Kelly Hancock became the state’s acting comptroller this summer, vacating his Senate seat.
Texans in various communities may also see local propositions and city council or school board races on their ballots.
One more thing
During early voting and on Election Day, voters can bring written materials to the polls to help them cast their ballots, according to the secretary of state’s office. This includes notes, sample ballots or information from Community Impact’s articles.
Texans cannot post or distribute written materials to other voters, as this is considered campaigning or electioneering. Both are prohibited within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place.
