Emgage Texas Focus

Emgage Texas is focused on empowering and mobilizing the Muslim community, particularly in the Austin, Dallas, and Houston metro areas.

We are dedicated to protecting voting rights and combating voter suppression. We run active voter registration, training, and educational campaigns. Our Emerging Leaders program is a longstanding tradition of the Texas chapter, in which teenagers and young adults are empowered and trained in leadership skills. We will shortly join other Emgage state chapters by launching a Muslim Civic Table in Texas which will bring together nonprofits, community advocates, and leaders from across the state to advance equality, justice, and opportunity in our community.

Texas is our home and we are dedicated to making everyone here feel seen, heard, equal, and welcome.

Texas Winter 2024 Runoffs

Texas Winter 2024 Runoffs Voting FAQs

Texas voters, you might have one more election to vote in this year! Select districts have runoff elections in December. Emgage Texas has collected some of the most common questions asked about voting in the runoffs and provided you with answers. If you have a runoff to vote in, we look forward to seeing you at the polls!

Key Dates to Know

Monday, December 2: Early voting in-person begins

Tuesday, December 3: Deadline to submit mail-in ballot applications

Tuesday, December 10: Early voting in-person ends

Saturday, December 14, 2024: Election Day!

The deadline to submit mail-in ballots is 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024 (OR have your mail-in ballot received by Monday, November 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. local time on Election Day, December 14, unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)

Quick resource links:

Check Voter Registration Status: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Track Your Mail-In Ballot: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/BallotTrackerApp/#/login

Early Voting Information

Travis County Early Voting Locations: https://votetravis.gov/current-election-information/current-election/

Missouri City Runoff Election Information: https://www.missouricitytx.gov/558/Election-Eleccin

Harris County City of Baytown and Lone Star College System Runoff Information:

www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/View-information-for-upcoming-Elections

Dallas County City of Glenn Heights Runoff Election Information:

www.dallascountyvotes.org/voters/election/city-of-glenn-heights-runoff-12142024/

San Antonio Metro: Schertz and Cibolo City Council Runoff Elections Information

https://communityimpact.com/san-antonio/northeast-san-antonio-metrocom/government/2024/11/26/early-voting-for-the-schertz-cibolo-dec-14-election-begins-dec-2/

If you have any questions about these FAQs, contact our team at txvotes@emgageusa.org.

December Runoff FAQs

Why are runoffs occurring? Didn’t we just have elections?

In the November elections, many city council and other local races took place where candidates needed to win over 50% of the vote to prevail. In some races, no candidate earned this needed amount of votes. For these races, runoff elections are occurring between the two candidates who earned the highest amount of votes in the November election.

Please note that runoffs are occurring only in select locations across Texas. Check with your county elections office, or reach out to our team, if you are unsure whether you have a runoff election to vote in.

Can I vote in the runoffs even if I did not vote in the November elections?

Yes! You can vote in the December runoffs even if you did not vote in the previous elections.

Voter Registration Status FAQs

Where can I check to see if I am registered to vote?

You can check online at the Secretary of State’s website at https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

I haven’t registered to vote yet. Can I still register to vote before the election or at the polling location?

No. In Texas, you must be registered to vote thirty (30) days before an election you want to vote in. The last day to register to vote for the December runoffs was November 14, 2024. You can, however, register to vote now to be eligible to vote in future elections.

I registered to vote but did not receive my voter registration certificate in the mail. Can I still vote?

Yes! You need to have a valid ID with you to vote, but you are not required by law to have your voter registration certificate. You can check to make sure you are registered at https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

If you do have your voter registration certificate, however, we recommend that you take it with you to the polling location in case you need to prove your voter registration status.

Voting In-Person FAQs

What ID do I need to vote?

To vote in Texas, you must bring one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID with you to the booth:

Texas Driver’s License
Texas Election Identification Certificate containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (different from your voter registration certificate)
Texas Personal Identification Card containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
Texas Handgun License
U.S. Military ID Card containing your photograph
U.S. Passport

Please note that a student ID is not an accepted form of identification for voting in Texas.

Can I vote if I do not have an ID?

If you left your ID at home, you should retrieve it. If you do not possess an acceptable form of ID at all, you should still be able to vote. You must provide supporting documentation such as a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, or other government document showing your name and that you live at your current address. You also will have to sign a sworn statement called a Declaration of Reasonable Impediment that there was a reasonable barrier to your getting one of the seven acceptable forms of ID.

What can I do if my name is not found on the list of registered voters?

If you are not allowed to vote for a reason relating to your registration, ask for a provisional ballot. You can cast your provisional ballot, and then you will need to visit your county elections office within six (6) days of the election with a photo ID to show that you can vote at your current address.

If you do not provide your photo ID and any other supporting documentation at your county elections office within six calendar days of the election, your vote will not be counted.

I need to vote from my car. Do I have any options for that?

If you have mobility difficulties or cannot enter the polling place for other reasons, you can vote from your car using curbside voting. Each polling place should have spaces designated for curbside voters and a call button to let the election workers know you have arrived. Pull in and press the call button, or call the polling place if you do not see one. An election worker will bring an iPad to your vehicle and you can vote from your car.

To expedite the process, call ahead to the polling location to let them know you are coming and need curbside voting.

Please note that drive-thru voting is no longer an option anywhere in Texas.

Where can I vote?

Runoff elections typically have voting locations in the localities where they are occurring. Check with your local elections office before you go to vote, or reach out to our team at 713.832.1938.

What can I take with me to the polling location? Can I use my phone while I am voting?

No! You may have your phone with you, but you may not take it out and use it inside the polling location.

You may have paper, including campaign literature, your printed sample ballot, or other paper notes you need to remember which candidates you are voting for.

You cannot have visible campaign t-shirts, masks, or other items that advertise a candidate or political party within 100 feet of the polling place.

General Election Voting Information

Texas 2024 Fall Voting FAQs

Elections are around the corner! Emgage Texas has collected some of the most common questions asked about voting in the fall elections and provided you with answers. We look forward to seeing you at the polls!

Key Dates to Know

Monday, October 21: Early voting in-person begins

Friday, October 25: Deadline to submit mail-in ballot applications

Friday, November 1: Early voting in-person ends

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Election Day!

Deadline to submit mail-in ballots is 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5 (OR have your mail-in ballot received by Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. local time on Election Day unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)

Quick resource links:

Personalized Sample Ballot: https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote

Check Voter Registration Status: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Track Your Mail-In Ballot: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/BallotTrackerApp/#/login

The following sections are discussed:

General Election FAQs
Voter Registration Status FAQs
Voting by Mail FAQs
Select Texas Counties polling location lookup, sample ballot, and elections office information

If you do have any questions about these FAQs, please contact our team at txvotes@emgageusa.org.

General Election FAQs

How does voting work in a general election? Do I need to vote for every position?

In general elections, you will choose candidates for election to different local, state, and federal offices, including president. The candidates who win will become our elected officials (in contrast, earlier this year, there were primary elections where candidates ran to receive their party’s nomination to be able to compete in this general election). In some races, candidates are running unopposed. In some races, only candidates from the two major parties are running; in other races, candidates from third parties are also running.

Depending on your area, you may also be voting on bond elections and other local issues.

You are not required to vote for every position – but if you do, you are maximizing your voting power!

I want to vote for different parties for different races. Can I do that?

Yes! You can vote for candidates from different parties in the general election.

What is on my ballot?

You can check your sample ballot at your county’s elections website; a list of contact information for select counties can be found below. You can also find your personalized ballot at www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote

Every voter in Texas will have the same options to vote for the president and statewide races including U.S. Senator, Texas Railroad Commissioner, Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals judges. Other races and candidates will vary depending on the area you live in, such as your congressional district, your state House and Senate districts, your State Board of Education Member’s district, and more.

Voter Registration Status FAQs

Where can I check to see if I am registered to vote?

You can check online at the Secretary of State website at https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

I haven’t registered to vote yet. Can I still register to vote before the election or at the polling location?

No. In Texas, you must be registered to vote thirty (30) days before an election you want to vote in. The last day to register to vote in the November 5 election was Monday, October 7, 2024. You can, however, register to vote now to be eligible to vote in future elections.

I registered to vote but did not receive my voter registration certificate in the mail. Can I still vote?

Yes! You need to have a valid ID with you to vote, but you are not required by law to have your voter registration certificate. You can check to make sure you are registered at https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

If you do have your voter registration certificate, however, we recommend that you take it with you to the polling location in case you need to prove your voter registration status.

My voter status says “in suspense.” What is that? What do I need to do?

If you have been placed on “suspense” within the last two election cycles, you are still a registered voter and should be able to vote in this election. If you vote in this election, your “suspense” status will be resolved.

Being on the suspense list generally means that your county voter registrar would like to confirm your address and has sent you an address confirmation notice. You can have your “suspense” status removed by updating your voter registration before the deadline, sending back the address confirmation to your county elections office, or by voting. Your voter registration should not be subject to cancellation until two federal general elections pass without your casting a vote, according to the federal National Voting Registration Act of 1993.

Voting by Mail FAQs

Applications to Vote By Mail

How do I qualify to vote by mail?

In Texas, you have to meet certain requirements to be able to vote by mail. To qualify for voting by mail, one of the following must apply to you:

65 or older by Election Day;
Have a disability;
Be out of the county during the entire in-person voting period (early voting and Election Day)
Be confined in jail (but still eligible)
Be expecting to give birth within three weeks of Election Day (before or after)

When do I need to have my application to vote by mail turned in?

The last day to have your application for voting by mail (also called absentee voting/absentee ballot) received by the elections authority of your county is Friday, October 25, 2024. Once your application is processed, you will receive your actual ballot by mail. Due to the risk of mail delays or the possibility of needing to correct your application, we strongly recommend having your application sent in earlier. Our recommended date is Saturday, October 12.

Can I use an electronic signature on my mail-in ballot application?

No! Your signature must be handwritten.

Can I provide or receive assistance with my mail-in ballot application?

Yes, assisting someone or receiving assistance is allowed with mail-in ballot applications. The voter requesting the mail-in ballot application can receive assistance with the application from anyone except for the voter’s employer or union boss. The person providing the assistance must sign the application as an assistant, generally in Box 6 on Texas applications. An assistant’s failure to sign the application is a Class A misdemeanor.

Also note that the assistant must abide by certain basic rules: they cannot submit the application for the voter without the voter’s consent, they cannot knowingly provide or cause to be provided false information on the application, and they cannot change the information on the ballot without the voter’s permission.

If a voter requires assistance having the application mailed, the person mailing the voter’s application generally is considered an assistant and must sign the voter’s application as an assistant.

A voter qualifies for assistance if they have a disability, difficulty reading or writing, or face difficulties due to limited English proficiency.

Can I turn in my ballot application in person?

Yes! You can mail in your application or you can turn it in to your county’s election administrator. Check the locations for select counties at the bottom of this page.

Can I fax or email in my mail-in ballot application?

You may fax or email your mail-in ballot application to your county elections administrator, but you must also provide a physical copy for your application to be valid. You must mail in your physical application or hand in your physical application at the elections office within four (4) days of faxing or emailing it.

If I have voted by mail before, do I still need to apply to vote by mail this election?

You still need to apply, yes! You must apply to vote by mail for each election. If you qualify to vote by mail because you are 65 or older, you can apply on an annual basis and receive mail-in ballots for one election year. If you are voting by mail for another reason, you must apply for each election.

Mail-in ballot/Other voting by mail questions

I do not know if my mail-in ballot or application were received. Can I track them?

Yes! Texas has statewide ballot tracking available here.

Harris County voters can track their ballot here.

I applied to vote by mail but never received my ballot. Can I go vote in person on Election Day?

You can vote in person at your assigned precinct location if you already requested a mail-in ballot, but you will need to 1) surrender your mail-in ballot and 2) cancel your mail-in ballot application. You can cancel your application by filling a cancellation form when you vote in person. You can also fax or email a cancellation statement with your handwritten signature to your county elections office. The statement must contain:

Name
Registered Address
Number used to prove your identity on your mail-in ballot application [Voter ID Number, Texas Driver’s License Number and/or last four digits of Social Security Number]
Statement of Action (That you wish to cancel your mail-in ballot application and why)
Handwritten signature

Check your local elections office to see if there is a special address or fax number for canceling mail-in ballots.

Additionally, if you do not have your mail-in ballot to surrender, when you go to vote in person you will be asked to fill an affidavit verifying that you do not intend to vote by mail. You will also be asked to vote provisionally instead of on a regular ballot. (This is so that the elections office can verify your mail-in ballot will not be counted).

I have not mailed in my ballot yet. What can I do to submit my ballot?

You may submit your ballot to your county’s designated ballot dropoff location (NOT at a voting site) during voting hours on Election Day.

You may also mail in your ballot to your county elections office, but it must be either 1) received by 7PM on Election Day, March 1; OR 2) Received by 5PM the day after Election Day IF there is a postmark showing it was mailed by 7PM on Election Day.

Who can turn in my mail-in ballot in person? Do I need a photo ID to turn in my mail-in ballot?

You alone can turn in your mail-in ballot in-person to the elections office. While close family members or members of your household are allowed to deposit your mail-in ballot in the mail, you the voter must submit your ballot in-person. At the designated mail-in ballot drop-off location, you will need to show one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed below that are also required for voting in-person.

Can I drop off my mail-in ballot in a dropbox?

No. Dropboxes have been banned in Texas.

Voting In-Person FAQs

I haven’t received my updated voter certificate yet. Do I need my voter certificate to vote?

No, you do not need your voter registration certificate to vote. It can be helpful to have but is not required. You must bring one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID in Texas:

Texas Driver’s License
Texas Election Identification Certificate containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (different from your voter registration certificate)
Texas Personal Identification Card containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
Texas Handgun License
U.S. Military ID Card containing your photograph
U.S. Passport

Please note that a student ID is not an accepted form of identification for voting in Texas.

Can I vote if I do not have an ID?

If you left your ID at home, you should retrieve it. If you do not possess an acceptable form of ID at all, you should still be able to vote. You must provide supporting documentation such as a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, or other government document showing your name and that you live at your current address. You also will have to sign a sworn statement that there was a reasonable barrier to your getting one of the seven acceptable forms of ID.

What can I do if my name is not found on the list of registered voters?

If you are not allowed to vote for a reason relating to your registration, ask for a provisional ballot. You can cast your provisional ballot, and then you will need to visit your county elections office within six (6) days of the election with a photo ID to show that you can vote at your current address.

If you do not provide your photo ID and any other supporting documentation at your county elections office within six calendar days of the election, your vote will not be counted.

I need to vote from my car. Do I have any options for that?

If you have mobility difficulties or cannot enter the polling place for other reasons, you can vote from your car using curbside voting. Each polling place should have spaces designated for curbside voters and a call button to let the election workers know you have arrived. Pull in and press the call button, or call the polling place if you do not see one. An election worker will bring an iPad to your vehicle and you can vote from your car.

To expedite the process, call ahead to the polling location to let them know you are coming and need curbside voting.

Please note that drive-thru voting is no longer an option anywhere in Texas.

Can I vote anywhere in my county?

Many counties allow you to vote anywhere in the county during Early Voting or on Election Day, but you should call or check your county elections offices’ website to be certain.

What can I take with me into the polling location? Can I use my phone while I am voting?

No! You may have your phone with you, but you may not take it out and use it inside the polling location.

You may have paper, including campaign literature, your printed sample ballot, or other paper notes you need to remember which candidates you are voting for.

You cannot have visible campaign t-shirts, masks, or other items that advertise a candidate or political party within 100 feet of the polling place.

Are the Election Day polling locations and voting hours the same as Early Voting polling locations and voting hours?

It depends. Check with your county elections site or call your elections administrator first. Some counties add or change polling locations for Election Day. Polls are generally open 7AM to 7PM, but this may depend on your county.

Links to polling locations and office information for Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Dallas, Galveston, Tarrant, and Travis Counties are below.

Brazoria County Elections

1524 E Mulberry Suite 145

Angleton, TX 77515

Phone: (979) 864-1662,

(979) 388-1662 or (281) 756-1662

Collin County Elections

2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102

McKinney, TX 75069

McKinney: (972) 547-1990

Metro: (972) 424-1460 ext. 1990

Collin County Early Voting Location List
Collin County Election Day Voting Locations
Collin County Sample Ballot Lookup (find your precinct on your updated voter registration card)

Dallas County Elections

1520 Round Table Drive

Dallas, TX 75247

Main Office: (469) 627-VOTE (8683)

Dallas County Early Voting Center Lookup
Dallas County Voting Schedule Link
Dallas County Sample Ballot Lookup

Fort Bend County Elections

4520 Reading Road, Suite A-400

Rosenberg, TX 77471

(281) 342-3411

Fort Bend County Early Voting Vote Center Locator
Fort Bend County Election Day Vote Center Locator
Fort Bend County Sample Ballot Lookup (find your precinct on your updated voter registration card or look up your voter registration card online)

Galveston County
10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 1152
Texas City, Texas 77591
409-770-5108

Galveston County Voting Locations and Hours
Galveston County Sample Ballot Lookup

Harris County

1001 Preston, 4th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

(713) 755-6965

Harris County Voting Site Locator
Harris County Sample Ballot Lookup

Tarrant County

2700 Premier Street

Fort Worth, TX 76111

Phone: 817-831-8683

Tarrant County Early Voting Locations
Tarrant County Sample Ballot Lookup

Travis County

Phone: 512-238-8683

elections@traviscounty.gov

Travis County Voting Location Map
Travis County General Sample Ballot
Travis County Sample Ballot Lookup

2024 Primary Voting Information

Texas 2024 Primary Voting FAQs

In this section, we have discussed the following:

Primary FAQs
Voting by Mail FAQs
Voting In-Person FAQs
Select Texas Counties polling location lookup, sample ballot, and elections office information

Emgage Texas has collected some of the most common questions asked about voting in the primaries and provided you with answers. Early voting begins Monday, May 20 and Friday, May 24. Election Day is Tuesday, May 28, 2024. We look forward to seeing you at the polls!

If you have any questions about this document, contact Aisha Tariq at aishtariq@emgageusa.org or Niloufar Hafizi at nhafizi@emgageusa.org.

Primary FAQs

What are primary elections? How is voting in a primary election different from voting in a general election?

Primary elections are held by the two major political parties to select the party’s nominees for state, federal, and many local elected offices. When you vote in a primary, you must request to vote on the Democratic or Republican ballot. You are not choosing between candidates of different parties; you are choosing among candidates of the same party to determine who will be the party’s nominated candidate for each elected position. In the fall, the candidates selected in the primary will run against each other in the general election.

Why are primary runoffs occurring? Didn’t we have primary elections in March?

In the March primary elections, candidates needed to win 50% of the vote plus one in order to prevail and earn their party’s nomination. In some races, no candidate earned the needed amount of votes to prevail. For these races, runoff elections are occurring between the two candidates who earned the highest amount of votes in their March primary.

Can I vote in the primary runoffs even if I did not vote in the March primaries?

Yes! You can vote in the primary runoffs even if you did not vote in the March primary elections. Please note, however, that if you did vote in March, you will need to vote in the same party’s primary runoffs in May.

Is there anything special about voting in a primary runoff?

If you voted in the March primary elections, you will need to vote in the same party’s primary (i.e. if you voted in the Republican primary in March, you will need to vote in the Republican primary runoffs; if you voted in the Democratic primary in March, you will need to vote in the Democratic primary runoffs).

If you did not vote in the March primary elections, you can choose whether to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary.

Can I vote for Democratic candidates for some positions and Republican candidates for other positions?

No. You must select one party’s primary election to vote in, which means you can only vote on the candidates for that party.

Can I vote “uncommitted” for any positions?

No.

Can I write in a candidate or a phrase on my ballot?

No, there is not an option to write in candidates for the primary runoffs.

If I initially ask for the wrong ballot when I go to vote, can I change which primary I am voting in?

If you did not select the correct ballot (Republican or Democratic), notify an election worker BEFORE you complete the voting process for help changing which ballot you are voting on. If you have already cast your vote, you will not be able to change it or vote in the other primary afterward.

I do not want to be a member of either the Republican or Democratic Party. Can I vote in the primary?

You do not need to be a member of either political party to vote in the primaries or primary runoffs. Texas has what are called open primaries, which means that you do not need to be a member of a party to vote in that party’s primary elections. When you vote in a party’s primary, you are committing to not participating in the other party’s primary process or party conventions. Your primary runoffs vote will not affect which candidates you can vote for in November.

When you go to vote in the primaries or runoffs, you will be asked to agree to a statement of affiliation and to verify you understand that you cannot participate in the other party’s primary or convention. This is required for primary voting; it is not a party registration and does not mean you are a member of that party.

Example: Sarah voted in the Democratic primary in March. She cannot now decide to vote in the Republican primary in the May primary runoff elections. Additionally, she cannot be eligible to serve as a delegate to any 2024 Republican Party conventions, should she want to.

Sarah can, however, vote for whichever party she chooses to after the primary elections are over.

I want to vote for a third party in November. Can I still vote in the primary runoffs?

Yes! You can vote in the primaries for one party and then vote for a different party after the primaries are over.

Example: Majid identifies as an independent. He voted in the Republican primaries and runoff to have a say in which candidates were chosen for the Republican nomination. For the general election in November, he would like to vote for third party candidates. This is allowed; in non-primary elections, he may vote for candidates of any party he chooses.

I haven’t registered to vote yet. Can I register to vote at the polling location?

No. You must be registered to vote thirty (30) days before an election you want to vote in. Election Day for the primary runoffs is March 28, 2024, so the last day to register was April 29, 2024. You can, however, register to vote after April 29 in order to be able to vote in future elections.

How do I know which runoff races I can vote in?

You can check by looking up the sample ballot for the party primary you are voting in (there are separate ballots for the Republican and Democratic primaries). Check the bottom of this document/page for links to help find your sample ballot for major Texas counties.

Voting by Mail FAQs

Applications to Vote By Mail

How do I qualify to vote by mail?

In Texas, you have to meet certain requirements to be able to vote by mail. To qualify for voting by mail, one of the following must apply to you:

65 or older by Election Day;
Have a disability;
Be out of the county during the entire in-person voting period (early voting and Election Day)
Be confined in jail (but still eligible)
Be expecting to give birth within three weeks of Election Day (before or after)

When do I need to have my application to vote by mail turned in?

The last day to have your application for voting by mail (also called absentee voting/absentee ballot) received by the elections authority of your county is Friday, May 17, 2024. Once your application is processed, you will receive your actual ballot by mail. Due to the risk of mail delays or the possibility of needing to correct your application, we strongly recommend having your application sent in earlier. Our recommended date is Saturday, May 11 .

Can I use an electronic signature on my mail-in ballot application?

No! Your signature must be handwritten.

Can I turn in my ballot application in person?

Yes! You can mail in your application or you can turn it in to your county’s election administrator. Check the locations for select counties at the bottom of this document.

Can I turn in an application for someone else?

You, the voter, must turn in your own mail-in ballot application. You may not turn in an application (or ballot) for anyone else, not even a spouse or other family member.

Can I fax or email in my mail-in ballot application?

You may fax or email your application to your county elections administrator, but you must also provide a physical copy for your application to be valid. You must mail in your physical application or hand in your physical application at the elections office within four (4) days of faxing or emailing it.

If I have voted by mail before, do I still need to apply to vote by mail this election?

You must apply to vote by mail for each election in most circumstances. If you qualify to vote by mail because you are 65 or older, you can apply on an annual basis and opt to receive mail-in ballots for a year, including for the runoff election. Otherwise, you must apply for each election.

If you did fill out a yearly application, make sure you applied for the primary and the primary runoff election, and selected the correct party ballot!

Mail-in ballot/Other voting by mail questions

I do not know if my mail-in ballot or application were received. Can I track them?

Yes! Texas has statewide ballot tracking available here.

Harris County voters can track their ballot here .

I applied to vote by mail but never received my ballot. Can I go vote in person on Election Day?

You can vote in person at your assigned precinct location if you already requested a mail-in ballot, but you will need to 1) surrender your mail-in ballot and 2) cancel your mail-in ballot application. You can cancel your application by filling a cancellation form when you vote in person. You can also fax or email a cancellation statement with your handwritten signature to your county elections office. The statement must contain:

Name
Registered Address
Number used to prove your identity on your mail-in ballot application [Voter ID Number, Texas Driver’s License Number and/or last four digits of Social Security Number]
Statement of Action (That you wish to cancel your mail-in ballot application and why)
Handwritten signature

Check your local elections office to see if there is a special address or fax number for canceling mail-in ballots.

Additionally, if you do not have your mail-in ballot to surrender, when you go to vote in person you will be asked to fill an affidavit verifying that you do not intend to vote by mail. You will also be asked to vote provisionally instead of on a regular ballot. (This is so that the elections office can verify your mail-in ballot will not be counted).

I have not mailed in my ballot yet. What can I do to submit my ballot?

You may submit your ballot to your county elections office or other designated location (NOT at a voting site) during voting hours on Election Day.

You may also mail in your ballot to your county elections office, but it must be either 1) received by 7PM on Election Day, May 28; OR 2) Received by 5PM the day after Election Day IF there is a postmark showing it was mailed by 7PM on Election Day.

Who can turn in my mail-in ballot in person? Do I need a photo ID to turn in my mail-in ballot?

You alone can turn in your mail-in ballot in-person to your county’s location, as designated by the elections office. While close family members or members of your household are allowed to deposit your mail-in ballot in the mail, you the voter must submit your ballot in-person. At the designated mail-in ballot submission location, you will need to show one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed below that are also required for voting in-person.

Please note that while the designated location for turning in mail-in ballots in person can be your county’s main elections office, it also may not be. We highly recommend contacting your county’s election office to check first. Mail-in ballots are typically only accepted on Election Day during voting hours.

Can I drop off my mail-in ballot in a dropbox?

No. Dropboxes have been banned in Texas.

Voting In-Person FAQs

I haven’t received my updated voter certificate yet. Do I need my voter certificate to vote?

No, you do not need your voter registration certificate to vote. It can be helpful to have but is not required. You must bring one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID in Texas:

Texas Driver’s License
Texas Election Identification Certificate containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (different from your voter registration certificate)
Texas Personal Identification Card containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
Texas Handgun License
U.S. Military ID Card containing your photograph
U.S. Passport

Please note that a student ID is not an accepted form of identification for voting in Texas.

Can I vote if I do not have an ID?

If you do not possess an acceptable form of ID at all, you should still be able to vote. You must provide supporting documentation such as a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, or other government document showing your name and that you live at your current address. You also will have to sign a sworn statement that there was a reasonable barrier to your getting one of the seven acceptable forms of ID.

If you have an ID and just forgot to bring it to the polling place, however, you will need to go get your ID to vote.

What can I do if my name is not found on the list of registered voters?

If you are not allowed to vote for a reason relating to your registration, ask for a provisional ballot. You can cast your provisional ballot, and then you will need to visit your county elections office within six (6) days of the election with a photo ID to show that you can vote at your current address.

If you do not provide your photo ID and any other supporting documentation at your county elections office within six calendar days of the election, your vote will not be counted.

I need to vote from my car. Do I have any options for that?

If you have mobility difficulties or cannot enter the polling place for other reasons, you can vote from your car using curbside voting. Each polling place should have spaces designated for curbside voters. Pull into the space and press the call button, if there is one, or call the polling place number on the curbside voting sign. An election worker will bring an iPad to your vehicle and you can vote from your car.

To expedite the process, call ahead to the polling location to let them know you are coming and need curbside voting.

Please note that drive-thru voting is no longer an option anywhere in Texas.

Can I vote anywhere in my county?

Many Texas counties allow you to vote anywhere in the county during Early Voting or on Election Day, but you should call or check your county elections offices’ website to be certain. Find a list of counties allowed to use countywide polling here.

What can I take with me into the polling location? Can I use my phone while I am voting?

No! You may have your phone with you, but you may not take it out and use it inside the polling location.

You may have paper, including campaign literature, your printed sample ballot, or other paper notes you need to remember which candidates you are voting for.

You cannot have visible campaign t-shirts, masks, or other items that advertise a candidate or political party within 100 feet of the polling place.

Can I give or receive assistance at the polling location?

Yes. Voters have the right to receive assistance from anyone who is not the employer or union representative of the voter being assisted. As a helper, you can provide assistance such as language interpretation or helping a voter with vision difficulties with the ballot. Voting locations also should have equipment for voters requiring assistance.

If you are the person giving assistance, you will be required to fill out a form about whether you have received financial benefits from any candidate or political action committee. You will also be asked to take an oath regarding your answers.

I moved, and forgot to update the address where I am registered to vote. Can I still vote?

If you moved within the same county: You can go to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day. You will be asked to fill a Statement of Residency. The ballot you will receive will reflect your previous address.

If you changed counties when you moved: You can vote ONLY during Early Voting at your new county’s main designated voting site on what is called a Limited Ballot. You can vote in the county you just moved to for elected positions that are on the ballot both in the county you moved from and the county you just moved to.

Please note that if you changed counties when you moved, you cannot vote at any polling place besides the designated main early voting site, and you cannot vote on Election Day. The last day to vote by limited ballot in the 2024 primary runoffs is Friday, May 20,2024.

I changed my name, and forgot to update my voter registration information. Can I still vote?

Yes. You will be asked to fill out a Statement of Name Change at the polling location.

My address on my Texas Driver’s License doesn’t match my address on my voter registration. Can I still use it when voting?

Yes! Your photo ID is used to verify your identity, not your residence. You will need to separately verify the address where you are registered to vote is your residence, but you should not encounter problems voting if your address on your driver’s license differs from your voter registration address.

Are polling locations the same as the last election? Are the Election Day polling locations and voting hours the same as Early Voting polling locations and voting hours?

Generally, there will be fewer polling locations during runoff elections. Polling locations can change from election to election. Check with your county elections site or call your elections administrator first. Some counties add or change polling locations for Election Day as well. Polls are generally open 7AM to 7PM, but this will depend on your county.

Links to polling locations and office information for the following counties are below: Harris, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston, Tarrant, and Travis.

Brazoria County Elections

1524 E Mulberry Suite 145

Angleton, TX 77515

Phone: (979) 864-1662,

(979) 388-1662 or (281) 756-1662

Collin County Elections

Democratic Runoff Elections in Collin County are ONLY occurring in Senate District 30

Republican Runoff Elections are Countywide in Collin County

2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102

McKinney, TX 75069

McKinney: (972) 547-1990

Metro: (972) 424-1460 ext. 1990

Collin County Early Voting Location List
Collin County Election Day Voting Locations
Collin County Sample Ballot Lookup (find your precinct on your updated voter registration card)

Dallas County Elections

1520 Round Table Drive

Dallas, TX 75247

Main Office: (469) 627-VOTE (8683)

Dallas County Early Voting Center Lookup
Dallas County Voting Schedule Link
Dallas County Sample Ballot Lookup

Fort Bend County Elections

4520 Reading Road, Suite A-400

Rosenberg, TX 77471

(281) 342-3411

Fort Bend County Early Voting Vote Center Locator
Fort Bend County Election Day Vote Center Locator
Fort Bend County Sample Ballot Lookup (find your precinct on your updated voter registration card or look up your voter registration card online)

Galveston County
10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 1152
Texas City, Texas 77591
409-770-5108

Galveston County Voting Locations and Hours
Galveston County Sample Ballot Lookup

Harris County

1001 Preston, 4th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

(713) 755-6965

Harris County Voting Site Locator
Harris County Sample Ballot Lookup

Tarrant County

2700 Premier Street

Fort Worth, TX 76111

Phone: 817-831-8683

Tarrant County Early Voting Locations
Tarrant County Sample Ballot Lookup

Travis County

Phone: 512-238-8683

elections@traviscounty.gov

Travis County Voting Location Map
Travis County General Sample Ballot
Travis County Sample Ballot Lookup

Texas 2024 Primary Run Off Voting FAQs

Texas 2024 Primary Run Off Voting FAQs

In this section, we have discussed the following:

Primary Run Off FAQs
Voting by Mail FAQs
Voting In-Person FAQs
Selected Texas Counties polling location lookup, sample ballot, and elections office information.

If you have any questions about this document, contact Aisha Tariq at aishtariq@emgageusa.org or Niloufar Hafizi at nhafizi@emgageusa.org.

May 28 Primary Runoff Election Dates to Know:

Last Day to Register to Vote: Monday, April 29, 2024
Last Day to Have Ballot by Mail Application Received: Friday, May 17, 2024
First Day of Early Voting: Monday, May 20, 2024
Last Day of Early Voting: Friday, May, 24, 2024
Election Day: Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Primary FAQs

What is different about voting in a primary versus voting in a general election?

Primary elections are held by the two major political parties to select the party’s nominees for state, federal, and many local elected offices. When you vote in a primary, you must request to vote on the Democratic or Republican ballot. You are not choosing between candidates of different parties; you are choosing among candidates of the same party to determine who will be the party’s nominated candidate for each elected position. Later in the year, the candidates selected in the primary will run against each other in the general election.

Can I vote for Democratic candidates for some positions and Republican candidates for other positions?

No. You must select one party’s primary election to vote in, which means you can only vote on the candidates for that party.

I am voting in person. How do I select the primary race I would like to vote in?

When you go to vote in person, you will be asked whether you are voting in the Democratic or Republican primary. This is completely normal and necessary for the primaries! You will be directed about where to vote for the Republican candidates if you are voting in the Republican primary, or the Democratic candidates if you are voting in the Democratic primary.

Can I vote “uncommitted” for any positions?

It depends on which primary you are voting in. In Texas, the Democratic primary ballot does not have an option to vote “uncommitted” for any race. The Republican ballot has an option to vote “uncommitted” among the presidential options. For other races, there is no option to vote “uncommitted.”

If I initially ask for the wrong ballot when I go to vote, can I change which primary I am voting in?

If you did not select the correct ballot (Republican or Democratic), notify an election worker BEFORE you complete the voting process for help changing which ballot you are voting on. If you have already cast your vote, you will not be able to change it or vote in the other primary afterward.

I do not want to be a member of either the Republican or Democratic Party. Can I vote in the primary?

You do not need to be a member of either political party to vote in the primaries. Texas has what is called open primaries, which means that you do not need to be a registered member of a party to vote in that party’s primary. All you are committing to when you vote in, for example, the Republican primary is that you will not vote in the other party’s primary elections or primary runoff elections. Additionally, once you vote in one party’s primary you cannot seek to be a party delegate for the other party at their conventions.

When you go to vote, you will be asked to agree to a statement of affiliation and to verify you understand that you cannot participate in the other party’s primary or convention. This is required for primary voting; it is not a party registration and does not mean you are a member of that party.

Example: Sarah votes in the Democratic primary in March. She cannot now decide to vote in the Republican primary in the primary runoff elections in May. Additionally, she cannot be eligible to serve as a delegate to the county, state, or national Republican convention, should she want to.

Sarah can, however, vote for whichever party she chooses after the primary elections are over.

I want to vote for a third party in November. Can I still vote in the primaries?

Yes! You can vote in the primaries for one party and then vote for a different party after the primaries are over.

Ex: Majid identifies as an independent. He voted in the Republican primaries and runoff to have a say in which candidates were chosen for the Republican nomination. For the general election in November, he would like to vote for third party candidates. This is allowed; in non-primary elections, he may vote for candidates of any party he chooses.

I haven’t registered to vote yet. Can I register to vote at the polling location?

No. You must be registered to vote thirty (30) days before an election you want to vote in. This primary is on March 5, 2024, so the last day to register was February 5, 2024. You can, however, register to vote after February 5 in order to be able to vote in future elections, including the May primary runoffs.

Voting by Mail FAQs

Applications to Vote By Mail

How do I qualify to vote by mail?

In Texas, you have to meet certain requirements to be able to vote by mail. To qualify for voting by mail, one of the following must apply to you:

65 or older by Election Day;
Have a disability;
Be out of the county during the entire in-person voting period (early voting and Election Day)
Be confined in jail (but still eligible)
Be expecting to give birth within three weeks of Election Day (before or after)

When do I need to have my application to vote by mail turned in?

The last day to have your application for voting by mail (also called absentee voting/absentee ballot) received by the elections authority of your county is Friday, February 23, 2024. Once your application is processed, you will receive your actual ballot by mail. Due to the risk of mail delays or the possibility of needing to correct your application, we strongly recommend having your application sent in earlier. Our recommended date was Friday, February 9.

Can I use an electronic signature on my mail-in ballot application?

No! Your signature must be handwritten.

Can I turn in my ballot application in person?

Yes! You can mail in your application or you can turn it in to your county’s election administrator. Check the locations for select counties at the bottom of this page.

Can I turn in an application for someone else?

You, the voter, must turn in your mail-in ballot application. You may not turn in an application (or ballot) for anyone else, not even a spouse or other family member.

Can I fax or email my mail-in ballot application?

You may fax or email your application to your county elections administrator, but you must also provide a physical copy for your application to be valid. You must mail in your physical application or hand in your physical application at the elections office within four (4) days of faxing or emailing it.

If I have voted by mail before, do I still need to apply to vote by mail this election?

You still need to apply, yes! You must apply to vote by mail for each election. If you qualify to vote by mail because you are 65 or older, you can apply on an annual basis and receive mail-in ballots for one election year. Otherwise, you must apply for each election. Make sure to apply for the primary and the primary runoff election when you fill out your application!

Mail-in ballot/Other voting by mail questions

I do not know if my mail-in ballot or application was received. Can I track them?

Yes! Texas has statewide ballot tracking available here.

Harris County voters can track their ballot here.

I applied to vote by mail but never received my ballot. Can I go vote in person on Election Day?

You can vote in person at your assigned precinct location if you already requested a mail-in ballot, but you will need to 1) surrender your mail-in ballot and 2) cancel your mail-in ballot application. You can cancel your application by faxing or emailing a cancellation statement with your handwritten signature to your county elections office. You can also fill out a cancellation form when you vote in person. The statement must contain:

Name
Registered Address
Number used to prove your identity on your mail-in ballot application [Voter ID Number, Texas Driver’s License Number, and/or last four digits of Social Security Number]
Statement of Action (That you wish to cancel your mail-in ballot application and why)
Handwritten signature

Check your local elections office to see if there is a special address or fax number for canceling mail-in ballots.

Additionally, if you do not have your mail-in ballot to surrender, when you go to vote in person you will be asked to fill an affidavit verifying that you do not intend to vote by mail. You will also be asked to vote provisionally instead of on a regular ballot. (This is so that the elections office can verify your mail-in ballot will not be counted).

I have not mailed in my ballot yet. What can I do to submit my ballot?

You may submit your ballot to your county elections office or other designated location (NOT at a voting site) during voting hours on Election Day.

You may also mail in your ballot to your county elections office, but it must be either 1) received by 7 PM on Election Day, March 1; OR 2) Received by 5 PM the day after Election Day IF there is a postmark showing it was mailed by 7 PM on Election Day.

Who can turn in my mail-in ballot in person? Do I need a photo ID to turn in my mail-in ballot?

You alone can turn in your mail-in ballot in-person to your county’s location, as designated by the elections office. No one, including close family members or members of your household, can submit your ballot for you. At the designated mail-in ballot submission location, you will need to show one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed below that are also required for voting in-person.

Please note that while the designated location for turning in mail-in ballots in person can be your county’s main elections office, it also may not be. We highly recommend contacting your county’s election office to check first. Mail-in ballots are typically only accepted on Election Day during voting hours.

On March 5, 2024, the mail-in ballot drop-off location for Harris County is the main county elections location in downtown Houston at the Harris County Administration Building, 4th floor, at 1001 Preston Street Houston, TX 77002.

On March 5, 2024, the mail-in ballot drop-off location for Fort Bend County is 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

Can I drop off my mail-in ballot in a dropbox?

No. Dropboxes have been banned in Texas.

Voting In-Person FAQs

I haven’t received my updated voter certificate yet. Do I need my voter certificate to vote?

No, you do not need your voter registration certificate to vote. It can be helpful to have but is not required. You must bring one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID in Texas:

Texas Driver’s License
Texas Election Identification Certificate containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (different from your voter registration certificate)
Texas Personal Identification Card containing your photograph issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
Texas Handgun License
U.S. Military ID Card containing your photograph
U.S. Passport

Please note that a student ID is not an accepted form of identification for voting in Texas.

Can I vote if I do not have an ID?

If you do not possess an acceptable form of ID at all, you should still be able to vote. You must provide supporting documentation such as a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, or other government document showing your name and that you live at your current address. You also will have to sign a sworn statement that there was a reasonable barrier to your getting one of the seven acceptable forms of ID.

If you have an ID and just forgot to bring it to the polling place, however, you will need to go get your ID to vote.

What can I do if my name is not found on the list of registered voters?

If you are not allowed to vote for a reason relating to your registration, ask for a provisional ballot. You can cast your provisional ballot, and then you will need to visit your county elections office within six (6) days of the election with a photo ID to show that you can vote at your current address.

If you do not provide your photo ID and any other supporting documentation at your county elections office within six calendar days of the election, your vote will not be counted.

I need to vote from my car. Do I have any options for that?

If you have mobility difficulties or cannot enter the polling place for other reasons, you can vote from your car using curbside voting. Each polling place should have spaces designated for curbside voters and a call button or displayed phone number to let the election workers know you have arrived. Pull into the designated space and press the call button, or call the polling place if you do not see one. An election worker will bring a mobile voting device to your vehicle for you to vote.