When is Texas voter registration deadline for May 6 election? What to know to register to vote

Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman
·6 min read

With Election Day just over a month away and the Texas voter registration deadline approaching, here's what you need to know about registering and casting your ballot in Texas:

When’s the deadline to register?

The deadline to register to vote for the May 6 election is Thursday, April 6

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

You can check your registration status on the Texas secretary of state's website. To do this, you’ll need either your:

  • Driver's license number and date of birth.

  • Voter Unique Identifier — which can be found on your voter registration certificate — and date of birth.

  • Or name, date of birth and county of residence.

I’m already registered to vote. Should I still check my status?

It’s not a bad idea. Generally, once you register you’re good, but the state does conduct reviews of voter rolls to determine if there are ineligible registrations.

How do I register to vote?

You’ll need to download the voter registration application, which can be found on the Texas secretary of state's website. After filling it out, you’ll need to print and sign it before mailing it to your county election office.

New voters can also pick up an application at a library, some post offices, government buildings, high schools or your county’s voter registrar's office. All applications must be postmarked by Thursday, April 6.

You can also register to vote when renewing your driver’s license or state ID card through the Texas Department of Public Safety, even if you’re renewing or updating it online.

30 days after registering, you’ll receive a voter registration certificate. Check that all the information is accurate. If needed, correct any information and mail it back to your county’s voter registrar.

Who can register to vote?

United States citizens who will be at least 18 years old by Election Day and who are residents of the county where they submit the application can register to vote.

Can a convicted felon register to vote in Texas?

Convicted felons cannot register to vote if they are still serving a sentence, probation or parole. People deemed totally or partially mentally incapacitated by a court also cannot register to vote.

Can I register online?

Only if you’re renewing or updating your driver’s license or state ID card.

Do I need to reregister if I moved since the election?

No. Even if you moved to a new county. If you're already registered to vote and you’ve moved or changed your name since the last time you voted, you can update your information on the Texas secretary of state's website. If you wait less than 30 days before Election Day, you’ll have to vote at the current location you’re registered at.

What do I need to bring with me to vote?

You’ll need to bring one of these seven forms of acceptable photo identification to vote:

  • Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

  • Texas election identification certificate issued by the DPS.

  • Texas personal identification card issued by the DPS.

  • Texas handgun license issued by the DPS.

  • U.S. military identification card containing your photograph.

  • U.S. citizenship certificate containing your photograph.

  • U.S. passport.

A student ID is not considered an acceptable form of identification in Texas.

Does my acceptable photo ID address need to match my voter registration address?

No. You should vote where you’re registered and currently live.

Can I use an expired ID?

Yes. If you’re under 70, you can use an ID that expired in the last four years. Residents 70 or older can use an ID no matter when it expired.

What if I can’t get an acceptable photo ID?

Then you’ll need to sign a “Reasonable Impediment Declaration” that states your reason for not being able to obtain such an ID. You’ll also need to present one of these documents:

  • A voter registration certificate.

  • A current utility bill.

  • A bank statement.

  • A government check.

  • A paycheck.

  • A birth certificate.

  • A document confirming birth admissible in a court of law that establishes your identity (including a foreign birth document).

A “reasonable impediment” includes any of the following:

  • Lack of transportation.

  • Lack of birth certificate or other documents needed to obtain a photo ID.

  • Work schedule.

  • Lost or stolen identification.

  • Disability or illness.

  • Family responsibilities.

  • Acceptable form of photo ID applied for but not received.

Am I eligible for mail-in voting?

Applicants considering voting by mail must be either:

  • 65 years or older.

  • Sick or disabled.

  • Out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting.

  • Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after election day.

  • Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

College students who are living in a different county from where they’re registered to vote can also vote by mail.

Texas’ Election Code defines an appropriate sickness or disability as one that “prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health.” It’s up to voters to decide if their sickness or disability warrants voting by mail.

How do I register to vote by mail?

You can download the application or request an application be mailed to you from the secretary of the state. You’ll need to complete the application and then send it to the early voting clerk in your county. You can also fax the documents or send a scanned copy via email to the early voting clerk. However, you still must mail the original printed copy to the early voting clerk to be received no later than four days after emailing or faxing the copy.

The final day to submit an application to vote by mail is Tuesday, April 25.

Your vote by mail will be counted as long as it’s postmarked by 7 p.m. May 6 and received by the county by 5 p.m. May 8.

Do I need an ID to vote by mail?

Sort of. You’ll need to provide either a driver’s license number, a state-issued ID number or an election identification certificate number. If you don’t have one of these, you may also provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. And if you don’t have any of these forms of ID, you can check that you haven’t been issued one of these forms of ID.

When is early voting in Texas?

Early voting begins April 24 and runs through May 2.

Election Day is May 6.

Where can I vote?

During early voting, you can cast a ballot at any polling location. You can look up locations beginning two days prior to the start of early voting by entering your name, county, date of birth and ZIP code. Hours of operation vary by location.

Most counties in Central Texas — excluding Caldwell — allow you to vote at any polling location on Election Day. Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Where do I go if I still need help?

If you need help registering to vote, you can find your county’s voter registration contact information here.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Election guide: Texas voter registration deadline for May 6 election