Whether you’ve voted before or it’s your first time, here’s some information and requirements that may prove useful to you before you head to the polls.
Where to Vote?
Texas voters can go to any polling place in their counties to vote. You can find early voting locations on VoteTexas.gov, in the “My Voter Portal” section, by entering your personal information.
It’s too late to register to vote, as voter registration in Texas ended on October 7. You can still check whether your registration status is active on “My Voter Portal.”
You can also check your county’s election website for specific hours of each voting location, as they may vary.
For Harris County, visit: https://www.harrisvotes.com/Vote-Centers
For Dallas County, visit: https://www.dallascountyvotes.org/vote-centers/
For Tarrant County, visit: https://gisit.tarrantcounty.com/TCVL/
Voter ID Requirements
According to state guidelines on VoteTexas.gov, you can present acceptable forms of ID below to vote early:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
If you don’t have the identification documents above, you can present one of the supporting forms and documents below:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Alongside presenting the supporting forms of ID, voters must also fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the voting location.
What Not to Wear and Bring to the Polls
Texas bans voters and poll watchers from bringing or using cellphones in the voting booth. Firearms are also prohibited.
“Persons are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of voting stations,” stated the Texas Secretary of State. Not only cellphones, but other electronic devices including cameras, tablet computers, laptop computers and sound recorders are banned in the voting booth, where voters mark the ballot.
Electioneering, which is “the posting, use, or distribution of political signs or literature,” is also illegal at the polls. Voters, poll workers, and loiterers are prohibited from wearing clothing or accessorities with political messages, including to support or oppose political candidates and parties.
What’s on the Texas Ballot?
Registered voters will get to elect local, state, and federal officials below, according to the Texas Secretary of State‘s website:
President of the United States
United States Senator
All 38 United States Representatives
Railroad Commissioners
3 members of the Supreme Court
3 members of the Court of Criminal Appeals
7 Members, State Board of Education
15 State Senators
All 150 State Representatives
Chief Justice of Courts of Appeals
Various Court of Appeals Justices
Various District Judges, Criminal District Judges
Family District Judges
District Attorneys
Sheriffs
County Courts at Law
County Attorneys
Tax Assessor-Collectors
County Commissioners
Justices of the Peace (Place 1 designation only)
Constables
