FAQs
Below are the most common questions we receive at the Office of the Secretary of State.
Why should I register to vote?
Voting is the process that enables you to have a say on the issues and officials that most affect your life. Your participation in this process is vital to maintaining a democracy “of the people, by the people, and for the people” and distinguishes the United States from every other country. It is a right you should exercise at every available opportunity, because you are helping to determine how we live and what our future will be.
Must I be a U.S. citizen and a resident to register to vote in Texas?
You must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Texas to vote in Texas.
How do I register to vote?
You may register to vote simply by filling out a Texas Voter Registration application which are readily available at libraries, post offices, government offices, major grocery stores and, of course, here: To download a Voter Registration application, click here.
Do I have to register before every election?
No. Once you register to vote, you shouldn’t have to register again, so long as you don’t move out of the county where you were first registered. For complete information, refer to our section “Did You Change Something?”
Do I have to bring an I.D. with me to register to vote?
Identification is not required to register to vote in Texas, but you must take either your voter registration certificate or acceptable identification when you vote. For more information on what is acceptable identification, see our section “Need I.D.?” under “Step One: Register.”
How old must I be to register to vote?
You may register if you are at least 17 years and 10 months of age. However, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the election.
Must I declare a political party affiliation when I register?
No, though when you vote in a primary election, your vote will determine your party affiliation for the rest of the year.
Where can I register to vote?
You may register in person to vote at your County Voter Registration office, County Driver License office, public library, the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas, and at get-out-the-vote rallies at special locations.
Is there a deadline for sending in the registration form?
To vote in an upcoming election, your properly completed voter registration form must be postmarked thirty (30) days before the upcoming election to be valid.
Can I find out if I am still registered if I haven’t voted in a long time?
Contact your County Voter Registration Office for information specific to your situation. As well, many counties have an online presence you can check for up-to-date voter registration information.
Can a homeless person register to vote?
Yes.
What form do I fill out to change my address or my name?
You must complete a Texas Voter Registration application, though in some cases, you can change your information online. For complete details, see our section “Did You Change Something?”
I registered, but I never received a notice from the Voter Registration Office. How do I find out if my new registration was really processed?
Contact your local Voter Registration Office to confirm your registration status, but you need to do so before the registration deadline 30 days before Election Day.
What voting systems have been certified for use in the state of Texas?
There are three vendors and a total of seven voting machine systems that have been certified by the State of Texas. To learn more about each, as well as for instructions on how each voting machine works, see our section “Meet Your Voting Machine.”
Can anyone vote early, or only those people who are going to be out of town on Election Day? What are the dates for voting early in person?
Any registered voter may vote early in person. To vote early by mail, you must first complete an application for ballot by mail. For complete details, refer to our section “Many Texans Vote Early.”
Where do I go to vote?
You will vote in the precinct in which you are registered. Most newspapers print precinct polling places and addresses in the days before an election. As well, if your county has supplied us with its polling place information, you can find that information here: County Precincts and Polling Place Addresses
For information on locations of early voting polling places, please contact your County Clerk or Elections Administrator.
Can anybody vote early by mail?
To vote early by mail (which used to be called “voting absentee”), you must meet certain criteria:
- You will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting;
- You are sick or disabled;
- You are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or
- You are confined in jail, but eligible to vote.
If you fall under one of the above, you will need to complete an Application for Ballot by Mail, which you can obtain from the Early Voting Clerk in the county where you are registered or from the Secretary of State’s Office. There are some very specific deadlines you must abide by, so refer to our section “Vote Early by Mail” under “Many Texans Vote Early.”
For more information on voting and voting procedures, contact:
- The Secretary of State’s office toll-free at 1.800.252.8683
- Your County Clerk (listed in the blue pages of your telephone book)
- Your County Elections Administrator
- Your Voter Registrar (Tax Assessor-Collector)
- The Secretary of State’s office online at www.sos.state.tx.us