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Here's what Texans need to know about voting in the November 2023 election

A sign reading "Vote Aqui Here" is propped outside a voting center where people wait in line.
Gabriel C. P茅rez
/
KUT
An updated voter registration and the proper photo ID are both important for voting in Texas elections.

The last day to register to vote in Texas' upcoming election is this Tuesday, Oct. 10. Early voting begins in just a few weeks, and Election Day is Nov. 7.

While there aren鈥檛 any big-ticket races like president, governor or senator on this year鈥檚 ballot, Texas voters will get to decide the fate of .

The amendments are a chance for Texans to directly vote on state policy changes and funding like Proposition 3, which prohibits a wealth tax, or Prop 9, which would put more money into the teacher retirement fund.

鈥淭he state legislature likes the idea of sometimes putting these bills into the constitutional form. So, it provides a degree of stability that is hard to change,鈥 said Brent Boyea, political science professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. 鈥淚t's an opportunity to create stability to things that people care about.鈥

Here are important dates and information to know if you plan on voting this election season.

Registering to vote

When is the last day to register?

Oct. 10 is the last day to register to vote.

Who can register?

You can vote if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen. 
  • A resident of the county where you鈥檙e registering. 
  • 18 years or older on Election Day. 
  • Not a convicted felon. 

Where can I register to vote?

Most people can鈥檛 register to vote online 鈥 but you can print out a on the Secretary of State鈥檚 website.

The application can be mailed in to your local , and must be postmarked by the Oct. 10 registration deadline. You can also drop off your application in person by Oct. 10.

If you鈥檙e renewing your driver鈥檚 license before Oct. 10, .

How can I check my voter registration status?

If you have a driver鈥檚 license, you may already be registered to vote.

Check your voter registration status on the Secretary of State鈥檚 using your driver鈥檚 license number, your voter unique identifier number or by your name, county and date of birth.

How can I update my voter registration?

If your name or address has changed since the last election, through the Secretary of State鈥檚 online portal.

Voting by mail

When is the last day to apply to vote by mail?

The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27.

If you鈥檙e mailing your application back, county election officials must receive it by Oct. 27.

Who can vote by mail?

You may 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. 

How do I apply to vote by mail in Texas?

You can either print the or through the Secretary of State's website.

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.

If you printed the application, place it in your own envelope and add postage.

If you ordered the application online and it was mailed to you, fold the application in half, seal it and add postage.

Address and mail the application to the early voting clerk in your county. This address can be found on your county鈥檚 elections department website.

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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

Does Texas require an ID to vote?

Yes. Make sure to bring one of the following to vote:

  • Texas driver鈥檚 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 can I vote?

Many counties in Texas have opted for , meaning registered voters can go to any polling location within the county where they鈥檙e registered.

Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and Parker counties are among the North Texas counties that participate in county-wide voting. For voters in other counties, you can find your polling site on the .

When can I vote?

You can vote early in-person from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3.

Election Day is Nov. 7.

Megan Cardona is a daily news reporter for 四虎影院. She was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and previously worked at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.