Early Voting Begins Tomorrow for May 3 Election
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Tomorrow is the first day of early voting across North Texas. With the May 3 election approaching, eligible voters in North Texas counties who plan to vote by mail must submit their applications soon.
Can I Vote Early?
Yes, early voting in the May 3 elections begins tomorrow, April 22 and lasts until April 29. You do not have to meet any special qualifications to vote early in person – if you are registered and qualified to vote on Election Day, you can also cast a ballot during the early voting period.
The Texas Secretary of State’s Elections Department prides itself on its easy early voting process: “Texas is a pioneer in early voting, having become the first U.S. state to offer in-person early voting in the 1980s. This enables Texas voters to cast their ballot in the days and weeks before an election to make the voting process more convenient and accessible.”
But don’t come to the polls empty-handed. You’ll need an approved form of identification such as a Texas Driver’s License, a U.S. Passport, a Texas ID or U.S. Military ID card, or a Texas Handgun License.
If you don’t have one of those IDs, you can still vote with additional identification such as a birth certificate, government document, or paycheck, and a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form.
Can I Vote by Mail?
Yes, but read closely because only voters who meet a certain set of criteria may vote by mail-in ballot in Texas. There are several important steps to follow in order to receive a mail-in ballot, so you might take some notes.
Who Is Eligible
According to the Texas Secretary of State’s elections site, you may vote by mail if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are 65 and older
- Have disabilities
- Are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Are in jail but otherwise eligible to vote
- If you are absent from the county of registration during the early voting period and on election day
How to Apply for a Mail-In Ballot
If you meet one of those eligibility criteria, you may apply for a mail-in ballot in your county. However, first and foremost, you must apply for a ballot by mail by Tuesday, April 22 — TOMORROW.
You can get a formal application for a mail-in ballot:
- Download an application for a mail-in ballot by mail here (PDF);
- Visit the early voting clerk in your county to pick up an application
- Email to request an application
- Or you can make an informal application request in person, if your county clerk allows it
Applications can be submitted in person, by mail, fax, or email — but faxed and emailed applications must also be mailed and received within four business days of submission, and must include a scanned copy of your photo ID.
Honestly, at this point…
You’re best off visiting the election clerk’s office for your county to request the application, fill it out, and submit to them all in one trip.
Remember, voting by mail applications are only good for a single calendar year, so you must reapply annually to receive a mail-in ballot.
Key dates to remember include:
- April 22: Mail ballot application deadline.
- April 22: Early voting begins.
- April 29: Early voting ends.
For more information on mail-in voting, early voting, and polling locations in North Texas, visit your respective elections department website:
Visit VoteTexas.gov or call 1-800-252-VOTE for all election information.
