During early voting, registered voters can cast ballots at any polling place within their county of residence, according to the secretary of state’s office. Keep reading for more information about what’s on the ballot and what to bring to the polls.
To get to know the candidates and propositions on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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.
A printable, one-page summary of the state propositions is available at the bottom of this article.
In the Houston area, voters can choose from 16 candidates running to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election to fill the vacant 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 across the state may also see local propositions and city council or school board races on their ballots.
Dates to know
- Oct. 20: Early in-person voting begins
- Oct. 24: Last day to apply to vote by mail
- Oct. 30: Early voting ends
- Nov. 4: Election Day
During early voting, registered voters can visit any polling place within their county of residence, according to the secretary of state's office. Voters can search for polling locations through the state voter portal or contact their local election office. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election was Oct. 6.
On Election Day, 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.
Nearly 18.3 million Texans were registered to vote in January, state data shows.
What to bring
Voters must bring one of seven forms of identification to the polls:
- A Texas driver license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
- A Texas personal ID card (issued by the DPS)
- A Texas handgun license (issued by the DPS)
- A Texas election ID certificate (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
Voters may bring written materials, such as notes and sample ballots, to the polls to help them cast their votes, according to the secretary of state’s office.
Texans cannot post or distribute written materials within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place, as this is considered campaigning or electioneering. Guns and wireless devices such as cellphones, tablets and smart watches are not allowed at polling places.
Voting by mail
Registered voters who plan to vote by mail must ensure their county elections office receives their application by Oct. 24, according to the secretary of state’s office. Eligible voters can submit their applications in person, by mail, by email or by fax.
To vote by mail in Texas, individuals must be at least one of the following:
- 65 years or older
- Sick or disabled
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Outside their county of residence during early voting and on Election Day (including college students)
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code
- Confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote
