Texas votes: Abortion, border security and marijuana energize voters on Election Day

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

The deadline to register to vote in the 2022 primary election was Oct. 11. Check if you’re registered to vote here.

When can I vote?

Election day is Nov. 8. Early voting ended Nov. 4.

How do I know if I qualify to vote by mail?

This option is fairly limited in Texas. You’re allowed to vote by mail only if: You will be 65 or older by Election Day, you will not be in your county for the entire span of voting, including early voting, you cite a sickness or disability that prevents you from voting in person without needing personal assistance or without the likelihood of injuring your health, you’re expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day or you are confined in jail but otherwise eligible (i.e., not convicted of a felony).

Are polling locations the same on election day as they are during early voting?

Not always. You’ll want to check for open polling locations with your local elections office before you head out to vote. Additionally, you can confirm with your county elections office whether election day voting is restricted to locations in your designated precinct or if you can cast a ballot at any polling place.

How can I find which polling places are near me?

County election offices are supposed to post on their websites information on polling locations for Election Day and during the early-voting period by Oct. 18. The secretary of state’s website will also have information on polling locations closer to the start of voting. However, polling locations may change, so be sure to check your county’s election website before going to vote.

What form of ID do I need to bring to vote?

You’ll need one of seven types of valid photo ID to vote in Texas: A state driver’s license, a Texas election ident ification certificate, a Texas personal identification card, a Texas license to carry a handgun, a U.S. military ID card with a personal photo, a U.S. citizenship certificate with a personal photo or a U.S. passport. Voters can still cast votes without those IDs if they sign a form swearing that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining a proper photo ID or use a provisional ballot. Find more details here.

What can I do if I have trouble voting?

You can contact your county elections official or call the Texas Secretary of State’s helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). A coalition of voting rights groups is also helping voters navigate election concerns through the 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) voter-protection helpline. The coalition also has hotlines available in other languages and for Texans with disabilities.

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A stroke couldn’t keep this veteran from voting on Election Day

Veteran Slade Allison says border safety, communism and abortion are among the reasons he voted Republican in Lufkin on Tuesday.

Credit:
Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

A local ballot question that would decriminalize marijuana got this Denton voter’s attention

University of North Texas student Elizabeth Garcia stands next to a sign for the Gateway Center, where they voted on Election Day in Denton.

Credit:
Jacob Wells / KERA News

Signs reading “Vote for Prop B” stand outside of the Gateway Center at the University of North Texas. Proposition B would decriminalize misdemeanor marijuana possession in Denton.

Pedro Olivarez, a new father, says he felt he needed to vote for his daughter and her future rights when he cast his ballot at the Las Palmas Library voting site in San Antonio on Election Day.

Credit:
Scott Stephen Ball

San Antonio man hopes for even a ‘small change’ to abortion access

Pedro Olivarez watches San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg introduce gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke at the Las Palmas Library voting site in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday.

Credit:
Scott Ball / San Antonio Report