Your Right To Vote!
REGISTERING TO VOTE
NOTE: Voter applications must be received in the Voter Registrar’s Office, or postmarked Thirty (30) days before an election in order for the voter to be eligible to vote in that election.
In order to register to vote in the State of Texas, you must meet the following specified qualifications:
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a resident of the county
• Be 18 years old (may register at 17 years and 10 months) by Election Day
• Not a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including any probation or parole)
• Not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law
Obtaining a Voter Registration Form
In Person:
You may pick up a voter registration application at most post offices, libraries, high schools, your Voter Registrar’s Office. Texas Department of Public Safety offices, and Texas Department of Human Services offices throughout the state.
By Mail:
You may request a postage-paid application by filling out this form so that a voter registration application can be mailed to you. You must mail the voter registration application to the voter registrar in your county of residence. You may access a list of all the voter registrars.
Request a mail-in voter registration form online here.
Obtain a voter registration form online here.
Voter Registration Certificate
• Once you apply, a voter registration certificate (proof of registration) will be mailed to you within 30 days.
• Check your certificate to be sure all information is correct. (If there is a mistake, make corrections and return it to the voter registrar immediately.)
• When you go to the polls to vote, present your certificate as proof of registration.
• You may vote without your certificate by signing an affidavit at the polling place and showing some other form of identification such as: your driver’s license, your birth certificate or a copy of your electric bill.
• If you lose your certificate, notify your County Voter Registrar in writing to receive a new one.
• You will automatically receive a new certificate every two years, if you haven’t moved from the address at which you are registered.
• You can also confirm your voter registration status in the state of Texas online here.
What do I Need to Bring?
You will be required to provide identification if you do not have your Texas voter registration card. Acceptable forms of identification include: a driver’s license or personal ID card issued to the voter by the Dept. of Public Safety or similar document issued to the voter by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license has expired; a form of ID containing the voter’s photo that establishes the voter’s ID; a birth certificate or other document that is admissible in a court of law and established the voter’s identity; US citizenship papers; US passport; official mail addressed to the voter by name from a governmental entity; a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter; or any other form of ID prescribed by the Secretary of State.
NOTE: If a voter does not show their voter registration card and cannot provide proper ID, they may cast a provisional ballot.
Can I Get Time Off to Vote?
Employees must be given time to vote without any penalty if polls are not open for 2 consecutive hours outside the employee’s work day.
Information Source:
Texas Secretary of State/Elections Division
Post Office Box 12060 • Austin, Texas 78711-2060
Phone: 800-252-VOTE (8683) or 512-463-5650
Fax: 512-475-2811
http://votexas.org/ • http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml