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How to vote in Texas

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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

You can register by mail to vote in Texas by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

Texas offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Texas offers early voting.

Registration Top Actions

Voting Top Actions

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Can I register to vote online?

Texas does not offer online voter registration.


You can use the Texas voter registration application tool to fill out a Texas state voter registration form, but you cannot submit it online. You must print, sign, and mail the application to your local election official.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Texas’s website.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: You must provide your Texas driver's license number or Texas personal ID number to register to vote. If you do not have a Texas driver's license or personal ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate NONE. A unique identifying number will instead be assigned to you by your State.
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Texas partisan primary elections.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes current and valid photo identification OR current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the Texas Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Texas's voter registration lookup tool.

Who can register to vote?

To register in Texas you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be a resident of the county in which the application for registration is made
  • be at least 17 years and 10 months old (you must be 18 to vote)
  • have not been convicted of a felony or, if you have been convicted of a felony, you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole
  • have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Texas does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in Texas before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 17 years and 10 months old
  • are a United States citizen
  • are a resident of the county where you submit your voter registration application
  • have not been convicted of a felony or, if you have been convicted of a felony, you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole
  • have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote

You must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

No. You cannot register online before you turn 18 in Texas.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in Texas, you are required to provide ONE of the following ID numbers:
  • Texas driver’s license
  • Texas personal ID
  • last four digits of your Social Security number

If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the Texas Secretary of State website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at your county’s Voter Registrar office in Texas.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Texas's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, Texas offers early voting. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

What do I need to bring?

You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Texas.

Acceptable forms include:
  • Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Texas election ID certificate
  • Texas personal ID card
  • Texas handgun license
  • US military ID with photograph
  • US citizenship certificate with photograph (doesn't need to be current)
  • US passport (book or card)

Forms must be current or expired less than four years. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid. For voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

Voters without ID:

If you don't have ID and cannot obtain one due to a reasonable impediment, you'll need to sign a sworn statement that there is a reason why you don't have any of the accepted IDs, and present one of the following:
  • certified birth certificate that confirms your birth and establishes your identity, including a foreign birth document if it is admissible in a court of law
  • valid voter registration certificate
  • or a current utility bill, government check, bank statement or paycheck, or government document with your name and an address.

If you meet these requirements and are eligible to vote, you may vote in the election.

If you don't have ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one or did not bring ID to the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order to have the provisional ballot counted, you will be required to visit the voter registrar's office within six (6) calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the forms of photo ID or submit a temporary affidavit, or, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption, in the presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that you do not have any of the required photo IDs.

How can I check the status of my ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Texas’s site.

Can I vote early?

Yes, Texas offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

      What do I need to bring?

      You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Texas.

      Acceptable forms include:
      • Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
      • Texas election ID certificate
      • Texas personal ID card
      • Texas handgun license
      • US military ID with photograph
      • US citizenship certificate with photograph (doesn't need to be current)
      • US passport (book or card)

      Forms must be current or expired less than four years. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid. For voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

      Voters without ID:

      If you don't have ID and cannot obtain one due to a reasonable impediment, you'll need to sign a sworn statement that there is a reason why you don't have any of the accepted IDs, and present one of the following:
      • certified birth certificate that confirms your birth and establishes your identity, including a foreign birth document if it is admissible in a court of law
      • valid voter registration certificate
      • or a current utility bill, government check, bank statement or paycheck, or government document with your name and an address.

      If you meet these requirements and are eligible to vote, you may vote in the election.

      If you don't have ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one or did not bring ID to the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order to have the provisional ballot counted, you will be required to visit the voter registrar's office within six (6) calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the forms of photo ID or submit a temporary affidavit, or, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption, in the presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that you do not have any of the required photo IDs.

      How do I vote by mail?

      Texas allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Texas's site.

      How do I get my ballot?

      Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application.

      What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

      If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

      How do I return my ballot?

      • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
      • You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
      • Find a ballot drop off location near you.
      • If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.

        • Your local election office must receive your mail ballot by 5:00 p.m. the day after Election Day if it is postmarked on Election Day.
        • If you return your ballot by mail and it does not contain a postmark, your local election office must receive it by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
      Please note: You must provide one of the following numbers on your ballot by mail (ABBM) and your mail ballot carrier envelope:
      • Texas Driver’s License
      • Texas Personal Identification Number
      • Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (NOT your voter registration VUID number)
      • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
      If you have not been issued one of these identification numbers, you must indicate so by checking the appropriate box on the ABBM or carrier envelope.

      For more information, please visit the Texas website.

      What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

      What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

      How do I see what's on my ballot?

      View your sample ballot on the Texas Secretary of State's website. Available ballot information may vary depending on the upcoming election.

      How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

      Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
      1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
      2. Send the application to your local election office.
      3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
      4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
      5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
      If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
      • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
      • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
      The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Texas. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

      Which election office should I contact?

      • In Texas, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
      • The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Texas. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

      How do I contact my local election office?

      Visit your state’s site to find the contact information for your local registration office or your local election office.

      How do I contact my state election office?