Today is the first day of Early Voting for the November elections here in Texas, so today, we wanted to send out some resources that should help you create your voting plan.
What's On the Ballot?
Wondering what’s going to be on the ballot? We’ve got you covered! Texans vote on 14 Constitutional Amendments. We especially urge you to vote NO on Proposition 3, which would abolish a wealth tax that doesn’t exist in Texas, and YES on Proposition 9, to give retired teachers a long overdue cost-of-living-adjustment. We’ve compiled our recommendations for the other Propositions also. You can read more about them at the League of Women Voters for their nonpartisan analysis, including pros and cons of each proposed amendment.
In addition to Constitutional Amendments, you may also have municipal or school board races on your ballot, depending on where you live. Plus there are two Special Elections, in which Blue Horizon Texas PAC has made endorsements.
We are supporting Kristen Washington in the Special Election for House District 2, in NE Texas, and Kim Mata-Rubio in the Special Election for Mayor of Uvalde. If you live in either of those areas, please be sure to vote for these inspiring women.
If you want to vote by mail…
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. If you’re mailing your application back, county election officials must receive it by Oct. 27.
You may qualify to vote by mail if you are:
65 years or older.
Sick or disabled.
Out of the county on Election Day and during the early voting period.
Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
Applying to vote by mail takes 4 Steps:
Step 1: Download and print the mail-in ballot application or request an application online through the Secretary of State's website.
Step 2: Complete sections 1-4 on the application, then sign and date Section 5. If another person helped you with your application, you must fill out Section 6.
Step 3A: If you printed the application, place it in your own envelope and add postage.
Step 3B: If you ordered the application online and it was mailed to you, fold the application in half, seal it and add postage.
Step 4: Address and mail the application to the early voting clerk in your county. This address can be found on your county’s elections department website.
When is the last day to submit a mail-in ballot?
Election officials must receive mail-in ballots on Election Day, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. if it's not in a postmarked envelope. If the envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, it must be received by Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.
Voting in person? Here’s what you need to remember.
When to get to the polls:
You can vote in person during two different time windows, during early-in person voting and on Election Day. Early-in person voting runs from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3. And mark your calendars — Election Day is November 7.
What to bring to the polls:
Under Texas law, all voters are required to have a photo ID. So, when you go to the polls, make sure to bring one of the following forms of photo ID:
Texas driver’s license
Texas election identification certificate
Texas personal identification card
Texas handgun license
U.S. military identification card with your photo
U.S. citizenship certificate with your photo
U.S. passport, either book or card
Where to vote:
You can find your polling site on the My Voter Portal. But remember, many counties in Texas have opted for county-wide voting, meaning registered voters can go to any polling location within the county where they’re registered. To see if your county has been approved to use the Countywide Polling Place Program, check here.