Who can register to vote in Texas?
U.S. citizens in Texas can register to vote in an election if they are 18 years of age or older, or will turn 18 by Election Day.
Residents cannot register to vote if they have been convicted of a felony and are serving a sentence, including on parole or probation, or have been found mentally incompetent by a court. Learn more about eligibility here.
How do I register to vote?
You must complete and submit a voter registration application by April 29th.
You can request a prepaid application by mail or pick one up at your local county voter registrar’s office, some post offices, government offices, or high schools, or you can print an online application and mail it to your county voter registrar.
Applications must be postmarked by the deadline of April 29. Download application materials here.
Additionally, you can register to vote through the Texas Department of Public Safety when renewing your driver’s license. If you are also allowed to renew your driver’s license online, you may be able to register to vote online. This is the only online registration method in the state.
After you register to vote, you will receive a voter registration certificate within 30 days. This certificate contains voter information, including your unique voter identification number, which you will need to update your voter registration online. If there is any incorrect information on your certificate, you should make the corrections and send it to your local registrar of voters as soon as possible.
If you don’t have one of the seven state-approved photo IDs, your voter registration card can also be used as a second form of ID when voting. Learn more here.
Do I need to re-register to vote?
Once you register to vote, you will usually stay registered, but you may need to check your registration status for various reasons. For example, you may need to update your registration after your name or address has changed. You can make these updates online here.
What does it mean if my voter registration is “suspended”?
If a county receives a non-delivery notice after sending a voter registration certificate or if there is a suspected address change, the voter is placed on a “hold list” and asked to verify their address. Voters on the hold list may continue to vote if they update or verify their address before the election’s voter registration deadline or complete a “proof of residency” form at the polls. They may be required to vote at their previous polling place or on a limited ballot. According to the Texas Secretary of State’s office, suspended voters will be removed from the voter rolls after about four years if they take no action.
Federal law prohibits states from removing a registered voter within 90 days of a federal election unless the voter has died, been convicted of a felony or been declared mentally incompetent.
If you’re concerned about registering to vote, you can check online here.
What happens if I move after the voter registration deadline?
You must be a resident of a Texas county by the voter registration deadline to vote in an upcoming election, unless you qualify for an absentee ballot. Learn more about absentee and mail-in voting here.
If you move within the same county or political district, you can vote at your previous polling place, or you can vote at your new polling place using a ballot that is limited to elections for which you are eligible to vote at both polling places, such as statewide elections.
Limited ballots are available only during early voting at “primary early voting polling locations.” A “primary early voting location” is typically the office of the election official or county clerk who conducts elections in the county. Your primary early voting polling place must be listed on your county’s list of early voting locations.
Eligible individuals experiencing homelessness may vote as long as they provide a registered address and a description of where they live, such as a shelter or intersection. You can have a different mailing address if you wish, but a PO Box address is generally not considered a residential address.
What if I’m having trouble registering to vote?
If you have questions or concerns about registering, you can find your county’s voter registration contact information here.
There is usually a “resolution desk” inside the polling place where poll workers can address any issues with registration.
Additionally, more information on frequently asked questions from the Secretary of State’s Office can be found at votetexas.gov.
