TEXAS, USA — With Election Day less than a month away and early voting starting in days, you might have started thinking “How and where can I cast my vote?” Not to worry, though, because even amid a pandemic, there are ways to engage in your most basic civic duty.
How can I register to vote?
Monday, October 5, was the last day to register to vote.
In Texas, you can register online, then print and mail the registration. Send the completed printed application to you local voter registrar.
In order to meet the October 5, deadline, you must take a printed voter registration application to your local post office and postmark it for October 5.
In case you recently moved to another place in the same county, you can update your address and other information online. However, if you are registered in one county and moved to a different county, you'll need to fill out a new voter registration application in your new county of residence. In that case, you will not be able to use the online name/address change tool.
You can pick up a voter application at your county voter registrar if you would rather register in-person.
Remember, you are eligible to register to vote if:
- You are a U.S. citizen
- You are a resident of the county where you submit the application
- You are at least 17 years old and 10 months, and you are 18 years old on Election Day
- You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible if you have completed your sentence, probation and parole); and
- You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally or mentally incapacitated without the right to vote
You’ll get a voter registration certificate in the mail within 30 days of applying. This is your proof that you registered to vote. When you get it, be sure to that all the information is correct. If you do see a mistake, correct it and return it to your local registrar.
Now sure if you are registered to vote? If you're looking to if you're already registered or not, you can the status online at the Texas Secretary of State's website.
Key dates and deadlines for the November 3 general election
- October 5 - Last day to register to vote
- October 13 - Early voting begins
- October 23 - Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked)
- October 30 - Early voting ends
- November 3 - Election Day
- Last day to receive ballot by mail - Mail-in ballots are due November 3 if the carrier envelope is not postmarked and are due November 4 at 5 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. November 3.
Mail-in voting in Texas
To be eligible to vote by mail in Texas, you must:
- Be 65 years or older
- Be disabled
- Be out of the country on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
- Be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible
Instructions for submitting for Application for Ballot by Mail:
- Print the form or submit and online for an application
- Complete sections 1-8 of the application
- Sign and date Section 10
- If you were unable to sign the application and someone witnessed your signature, that person must complete Section 11
- Affix postage
If you printed the application, you must place the application in your own envelope and add postage. If you ordered the application online and it was mailed to you – fold the application in half, moisten the tab, and add postage.
Address and mail the completed ABBM to the early voting in your county. You may also fax the application if a fax machine is available in the early voting ’s . You also have the option of submitting a scanned copy of the completed and signed application to the early voting by email. If an ABBM is faxed or emailed, then the original hard copy of the application must be mailed and received by the early voting no later than the fourth business day.
An early voting is the county or elections administrator for your county and that information can be found online.
NOTE: Do not mail, fax, or email completed application for ballot by mail to the secretary of state’s . All applications received by this will be rejected.
RELATED: Here’s how to vote by mail in Texas
Verify: Are absentee ballots different than mail-in ballots?
What do I need to bring to the polls to vote?
Acceptable forms of photo ID to vote on the day of the election or to vote early include:
- Texas Driver license
- Texas Election identification certificate
- Texas Personal identification card
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. military identification card with the person’s photo
- U.S. citizenship certificated with the person’s photo
- U.S. passport – book or card
The Texas Secretary of State specifies that voters ages 18-69 must present an acceptable photo ID. The ID presented may be expired for up to four years and still be valid. For those 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo ID may be expired for however long if the ID is otherwise valid.
Have a question about Voter ID requirements? out the Texas Secretary of State's voter ID FAQ section.
Where is my polling place?
Before you head out to a voting location, you can to see if your county participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program first. If it does participate in the program, you can vote at any polling place in the county.
6 News has confirmed you can vote at any polling location in the following counties: Bell, McLennan, Coryell, Milam, Lampasas and Navarro.
Voters will need to go to a specific precinct in these counties: Falls, Limestone, Bosque, Leon, Hill and Hamilton.
If not, you can vote at the polling place assigned to you.
Find your polling places for early voting and Election Day here:
Bell County - Polling locations | Precinct map | Sample ballot
Bosque County - Polling locations | Sample ballot
Coryell County - Polling locations | Sample ballot
Falls County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
Freestone County - Polling locations | Sample ballots available at county clerk office located at 103 E. Main Street, Fairfield.
Hamilton County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
Hill County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
Lampasas County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
Leon County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
Limestone County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
McLennan County - Polling locations | Precinct guide | Sample ballots | More information below
Milam County - Polling locations | Sample ballots
This list of polling locations and sample ballots will be updated as the information changes or becomes available.
If you are having trouble finding the precinct number for your sample ballot, try checking your voter registration on this state website. Where your registration information pops up, your local precinct should be included.
McLennan County has added an additional Vote Center to help facilitate voting in the North Waco area. The new Vote Center is at the St. Louis Activity Center at 2415 Cumberland Avenue, Waco, Texas 76707. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other helpful links
- Find your polling location online.
- out your rights as a voter.
- Here are general voting FAQs.
How can I report voting problems?
If you encounter any issue while voting, registering or something election-related, text us at 254-859-5481. You can also submit a tip via the 6 News app on your iPhone or Android phone.
Contact your local election administrator or file an election complaint with the Texas Secretary of State.