YOUR VOTING RIGHTS
Need help now?
Call or text Election Protection: 866-OUR-VOTE or 888-API-VOTE
English Voter Hotline: The 866-OUR-VOTE line connects you with trained, nonpartisan volunteers who can help with voting questions and problems in real time.
Asian Languages Voter Hotline: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) — Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Voters in Texas have the right to vote free from intimidation under federal and state law. Federal law broadly prohibits intimidation, threats, or coercion throughout every stage of the election process; more information on the federal protections that apply to all states can be found here.
My Voting Rights Federal Protections:
Vote without facing discrimination, intimidation, or harassment
Assistance if you have a disability
Help if you can't read or write in the language of the ballot
Receive a provisional ballot if questions come up about your registration
Access to a replacement ballot if you make a mistake filling out your ballot
Cast your ballot privately so who and what you vote for is confidential
State Safeguards:
If you don't have an approved photo ID because you cannot reasonably obtain one, you can present an alternative document like a utility bill and fill out a sworn declaration of reasonable impediment
Polling places must have "buffer zones" free from loitering or electioneering outside the voting area
Curbside voting is available at all polling places for voters physically unable to enter the polling place
Voting Rights FAQs: Casting Your Ballot and Making it Count
Voting rules can be confusing and vary significantly depending on where you live — but don't let that stop you from having your say at the polls. If questions or issues come up, reach out to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline anytime for free, individualized guidance. An informed voter is a powerful one!
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A: Federal and state laws require voting sites to be accessible. Depending on what help you need, you might be able to vote curbside (i.e., in a vehicle outside a polling place), vote by mail, or with accessible voting machines designed to help voters with disabilities. While rules on who can assist you differ by state, direct family and near relatives can usually help, and so can poll workers.
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A: Your voter registration and the races you vote in are tied to your address so it’s important for it to be updated and current before voting. You can update your address and voter registration at your local election board, but plan to do it before your state’s registration deadline to ensure your vote counts.
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A: Voters are sometimes erroneously removed from state voter rolls. If you believe you are registered and eligible to vote, you have the right to ask for a provisional ballot which lets you vote while election officials research your eligibility.
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A: Every election season brings a flood of information about candidates, voting rules, and deadlines. Not all of it is accurate. Some of it is designed to confuse voters and discourage participation. Most laws leave it to voters to sort fact from fiction, so when in doubt, go straight to the source: your local or state election officials or the Election Protection Hotline.
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A: Election officials are required to ensure voters can safely cast their ballots, and federal and state laws prohibit voter intimidation and interference. Enforcement, however, is often limited to the most extreme cases. Your safety is always the top priority. If you witness a problem and feel comfortable doing so, tell an election worker on site or report it to the Election Protection Hotline.
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A: Great job getting your ballot in! Local election officials can confirm the status of your mailed ballot by telephone and most states offer online ballot tracking tools. Contact the Election Protection Hotline for local election official contact information or track your ballot at https://goelect.txelections.civixapps.com/ivis-oab-ui/#/login.
Every voter deserves to cast their ballot with dignity, confidence, and independence. In recent years, South Asian Americans have faced rising rhetoric, intimidation, and anti-immigrant antagonism aimed at casting doubt on our civic belonging and suppressing our political power. Knowing your voting rights isn't just about understanding the law - it is our primary defense against discrimination, disenfranchisement, and efforts to make our community feel unwelcome at the ballot box.
At SAAVETX EF, we are committed to making sure every South Asian Texan feels completely safe, supported, and empowered when they exercise their right to vote. No voter should ever have to second-guess their right to be heard.