Texas has some of the most restrictive absentee/vote by mail requirements in the nation. To avoid Election Day lines, voting early in person is likely the best option available. Be clear as to your early voting center's location, hours, and ID requirements (all provided below).
If you do vote absentee/VBM, to avoid possible postal delays impacting your vote, we recommend mailing your completed ballot back by Tuesday, October 13th. Plan to drop it off by hand after that.
If you are concerned about your absentee ballot returning on time through the mail, visit our other page to learn how to drop your ballot off in person.
Registering In Person: October 5, 2020
Registering By Mail: Postmarked October 5, 2020
Registering Online: N/A (Form will need to be mailed to your county election office)
Request In Person: Received October 23, 2020
Request By Mail: Received October 23, 2020
Request Online: N/A
Ballots must be received by the day after the election by 5PM local time, delivered either by mail or in person to your county's early voting clerk. Ballots sent by mail must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020.
We strongly recommend mailing your ballot much earlier (by October 13th) and, if that's not possible, dropping it off in person. Learn how below or on our other page.
October 12th to October 30th.
Open during business hours on weekdays unless:
Fewer than 1,000 voters, in which case three hours per day, or
More than 100,000 voters, in which case 12 hours per day during the last week
In the offices of the county clerk, or elsewhere as determined by the clerk.
Each county has one main early voting center.
Photo ID requested.
Voters who do not possess an acceptable form of photo ID and cannot obtain one, may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
All voters will be asked for ID when voting in person.
Texas driver license, personal ID, handgun license, or Election ID Certificate from DPS
U.S. military ID containing the person’s photograph
U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
U.S. passport
Except for the US citizenship certificate, these photo IDs cannot be expired for more than four years unless the voter is over age 70 in which case they can be expired if the ID is otherwise valid. Voters without one of these forms of photo ID may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present a supporting form of ID and cast a regular ballot. Supporting forms of ID are:
Voter registration certificate
Certified birth certificate (original or copy)
Copy of or original current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
No.
7am - 7pm
If you are in line when polls close, you are legally entitled to vote. Don't leave!
Photo ID requested.
Voters who do not possess an acceptable form of photo ID and cannot obtain one, may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
All voters will be asked for ID when voting in person.
Texas driver license, personal ID, handgun license, or Election ID Certificate from DPS
U.S. military ID containing the person’s photograph
U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
U.S. passport
Except for the US citizenship certificate, these photo IDs cannot be expired for more than four years unless the voter is over age 70 in which case they can be expired if the ID is otherwise valid. Voters without one of these forms of photo ID may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present a supporting form of ID and cast a regular ballot. Supporting forms of ID are:
Voter registration certificate
Certified birth certificate (original or copy)
Copy of or original current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
Bexar, Harris and Hidalgo counties are mailing absentee-ballot applications to voters age 65 and older.
Yes, only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you:
will be away from your county on Election Day and during the hours that early voting is conducted;
are sick or disabled;
are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or
are confined in jail (and otherwise qualified to vote).
Unfortunately, Texas does not have a way to track your ballot at this time.
No.
Ballots may be returned to your county's early voting clerk by Election Day.
Yes, if that person is related to the voter within the second degree by affinity or the third degree by consanguinity (what does this mean? click here);
Physically living in the same dwelling as the voter;
A person who possesses a ballot or carrier envelope solely for the purpose of lawfully assisting a voter who was eligible for assistance;
A U.S. postal service employee; or a common or contract carrier.