Prepare to vote

MAKE A PLAN

Make a plan to vote for yourself or for someone else. Ask questions such as:

  • What time will you be voting?

  • Where are you voting?

  • Do you have a mail-in ballot or are you going to the polls?

  • How are you getting there?

  • Do you need a ride?

  • Who else can you bring with you?

  • Do you need to take time off work or secure childcare?

  • Do you have all the necessary documents to vote?

THERE ARE 2 KEY ITEMS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO THE VOTING BOOTH:

FIRST, TAKE A VALID FORM OF ID.

Senate Bill 5, passed by the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, requires voters who possess an acceptable form of photo identification for voting listed below to present that identification in order to vote in person in all Texas elections.:

  1. Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

  2. Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

  3. Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

  4. Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

  5. United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph

  6. United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

  7. United States Passport (book or card)

  8. With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

US Passport (Book or ID) If you are age 69 or younger on Election Day, any of the acceptable forms of voter ID can be expired up to four (4) years as of Election Day (expired more recently than November 3, 2016). If you are 70 or older on Election Day, your ID can be expired for any length of time.

It’s ok if the address on your Drivers License does not match your registered address, though as a precaution you should take a utility bill or other official mail with your name and address matching your registered name and address.

NEXT, PRINT OUT OUR ELECTION GUIDE FOR YOUR COUNTY.

Print out guides from our website or your local county will have sample ballots. Cell phones are not permitted to be on in the polls so print the Election Guide for your county and be sure to take it with you.