AUSTIN (KXAN) — While there may not be headline-grabbing races like president or governor on the May 6 ballot, there are still several important local elections in which voters will get to have their say.
Several local cities and school boards are holding elections. Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls.
What am I going to see on my ballot?
Unlike November’s election, the ballot for many this time around will actually be pretty short. Some people may even only have one race to vote on. School district bonds and trustee elections make up the bulk of elections this time round, but some local cities have some important races too.
The following cities have propositions: Austin, Burnet, Florence, Granger, Kempner, Luling, Round Rock and Webberville. Milam County has a county-wide proposition.
The following cities will choose their next mayor: Bastrop, Blanco, Cottonwood Shores, Georgetown, Granite Shoals, Johnson City, Lakeway, Lampasas, Marble Falls, Schulenburg and Thorndale
The following cities will choose council members or aldermen: Bastrop, Bertram, Blanco, Briarcliff, Burnet, Cameron, Cottonwood Shores, Elgin, Flatonia, Florence, Fredericksburg, Giddings, Granite Shoals, Highland Haven, Hutto, La Grange, Lakeway, Lampasas, Lexington, Llano, Lometa, Marble Falls, Meadowlakes, Rockdale, Round Rock, Round Top, Schulenburg, Smithville, Sunrise Beach, Taylor, Thrall and West Lake Hills
The following school districts will choose their next trustees: Bastrop ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Eanes ISD, Elgin ISD, Florence ISD, Fredericksburg ISD, Georgetown ISD, Giddings ISD, Granger ISD, Hays CISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Lometa ISD, Marble Falls ISD, Milano ISD, Pflugerville ISD, San Marcos CISD, Schulenburg ISD, Taylor ISD and Thorndale ISD
The following school districts have bond propositions on the ballot: Bastrop ISD, Coupland ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Eanes ISD, Hays CISD, Hutto ISD, Jarrell ISD, Johnson City ISD, Leander ISD, Lexington ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Llano ISD, Lometa ISD, McDade ISD, Rockdale ISD and San Marcos CISD
Here’s a sample ballot for Travis County. Sample ballots in other counties are available on each county’s elections website. We have a list of those at the bottom of this story.
Mark your calendars
Thursday, April 6: Last day to register to vote
Tuesday, April 25: Last day to apply to vote by mail
Monday, April 24: Early voting begins
Tuesday, May 2: Early voting ends
Saturday, May 6: Election Day
Hours for early voting are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekend voting hours vary by county.
Early voting locations
Below are the early voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.
Election Day voting locations
Below are the Election Day voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.
What do I need to bring with me?
Under Texas law, voters are required to bring identification with them to vote. Here are the accepted forms of identification:
Texas Driver License
Texas Election Identification Certificate
Texas Personal Identification Card
Texas Handgun License
United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States Passport
What’s not allowed?
Under Texas law, you cannot use most wireless communication devices within 100 feet of a voting station, nor are you allowed to record sound or images in that space. Those restricted electronics include:
Cell phones
Cameras
Tablet computers
Laptop computers
Sound recorders
Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.
You are also not allowed to wear clothing, hats, flags, etc. that relate to a candidate currently on the ballot within 100 feet of the voting station.
Other county elections offices in KXAN’s viewing area
Below are links to each county elections website in the KXAN coverage area. Each will have information including phone numbers, polling locations and addresses. You can also check wait times at polling locations.
KXAN will have full coverage on election day, May. 6.
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