Texas

What to Know if You're Planning to Vote in Texas

 

If you have any trouble with registering or voting, have had someone try to prevent your ability to vote, have questions about registering or voting that are not answered here, or need help in order to vote, call the voter protection hotline at: 844-898-6837. They are very busy, so please see if you can get the help you need here first, but if not, CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY. Also, make sure you have their number saved in your phone, so that if something unexpected happens, you can get immediate help. 

 

First Steps to Make Sure You Get to Vote:

  • Make Sure You're Registered to Vote. Don't assume you're registered. Check if You're Registered In Texas.
  • If You're Not Registered to vote, no problem! Here's How To Register Vote in Texas. 
  • Make a Voting Plan--how do you plan to vote? Absentee (by mail), early voting, and voting on election day are all options. You can use our voting plan card--just print it out, cut it out, and keep it on you at all times. You can even add the hotline number to the card. Here is the page where the Voting Plan Card can be found.
  • Important deadlines:
    - Registration: If you're planning to vote by mail, your registration form must be postmarked by October 5. If you register in person, that also must be done by October 5. 
    -  Absentee ballot deadlines: If you want an absentee ballot (which means you can vote by mail), you must request your ballot by October 23. You can return your ballot by mail or in person. Either way, it must turned in by November 3 or postmarked by November 3rd at 7:00 pm.
    - Early voting: Early voting is from October 13-30, but dates and hours vary based on where you live. Finf your early voting location here: Early Voting Locations for Texas, or Contact & Find Your Local Early Voting Election Clerks.

 

Answers to FAQs

  • Do I Need an ID to Vote? Yes, Texas requires it if you're voting in person in most cases. See below for exceptions.
  • Can I Get a Free ID? YES! Texas calls it an “Election Information Certificate (or EIC), and it's free, but you can only get one if you don’t already have an ID that would be accepted at the polls (see below for the list). If you have none of these IDs, you can get a free voter ID. Visit this page: Get a Free ID to Vote in Texas.  You can also get a free ID here.
  • What Kind of ID Can I Use to Vote?  See the poster below! There are 7 kinds of ID that Texas will accept. Again, there are exceptions, and many of these IDs can be expired.
  • What If My ID is Expired? For voters aged 18 – 69 years, photo ID can be expired for up to 4 years. For voters aged 70 and older, photo ID can be expired for any length of time if otherwise valid. 
  • What If I Don't Have One of Those IDs?  You may qualify for a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" (which means you have a reason that you could not get one of those  forms of ID) by showing a copy or original of one of the following approved IDs: Certified US Birth Certificate or Court Admissible Birth Document, paycheck , government document with your name, AND a current utility bill with the address that is the one you're using for your voter registration, OR a  bank statement certificate, or government check. 
  • What Qualifies as a Reasonable Impediment, Which Would Exempt Me from Having to Show ID? Having religious objections to being photographed, not having money or transportation to get an ID (this may be okay, but you will need to check with your local election authority to to be sure), being disabled, or having work or family obligations that make it hard to get an ID, not having an ID because of a recent natural disaster. Again, check with your local election authorities BEFORE you try to vote without an ID. 
  • What if I Forget to Bring My ID to the Polls?  If you forgot your ID AND do not apply for and qualify for a reasonable impediment (meaning you don't need an ID) can cast a provisional ballot. HOWEVER, if you do this, you must visit your county registrar’s office within 6 calendar days of the date of the election to either: (1). present one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, OR (2).submit a temporary affidavit for a reasonable impediment (like a  religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar, OR (3). submit the required paperwork AND sign the required statement to qualify for a permanent disability exemption in the presence of the county voter registrar, in order for the provisional ballot to count.
  • What Do I Do if I'm Disabled & Don't Have an ID? Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing the applicant’s disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. The applicant must also state that he/she does not have a form of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please Contact Your County Voter Registrar for more details.
  • Can I Have a Paper Ballot if I Want? In Texas, each county decides whether they will use touchscreens or paper ballots. However, you DO have the right to request a paper ballot, and if you ask, one should be provided to you.
  • If I'm in the Hospital, Will I Still Be Able to Vote? Maybe! You should visit this page: Help Voting for Patients Who Are Hospitalized in Texas, or email PatientVoting@gmail.com. They will try to help you get what is called an emergency absentee ballot, get it picked up for you, & help make sure your vote counts!
  • Help! My registration status says Suspense; what does this mean? Don't worry! Suspense just means that the registrar is not certain of your residential address. The very best way to fix this is to contact your county registrar using the link above. If you STILL are not helped, call the voter protection hotline IMMEDIATELY.

Accepted IDs to Vote in Texas

 If You Don't Have the Required IDs, Here Are Some Other Forms of ID that Texas Will Accept

(see the grey box):