Early voting begins today, Monday, Oct. 20, and runs through Friday, Oct. 31. There’s a whole lot on the ballot locally and statewide from contested races at the top of the ballot all the way down to local bond packages. Watch for coverage here at Instant Tea until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
But before I get to coverage, learn what you need below to vote per the Texas Secretary of State’s VoteTexas.gov, a clearinghouse of information on voting.
The deadline to register to vote in Texas has expired. But if you are registered, you must present one of seven valid forms of identification.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Saturday, Oct. 18 upheld the state’s voter ID law. This means Texas voters will be required to present one of seven types of photo identification to be eligible to vote.
The seven forms of identification permitted are:
- Texas driver license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- Texas personal identification card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- Texas concealed handgun license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. passport book or card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. Military identification with photo—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo
- Election Identification Certificate (E.I.C.)
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, if you do not have one of the first six forms of identification only then may you apply for the E.I.C. at no charge. (Getting to a D.P.S. location and standing in line is a whole different story, however.)
Learn more about the getting an E.I.C. here.
During the early voting period, you may vote at any designated voting site in your county.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. you must vote at your precinct’s designated voting site.
Need more information?
Collin County 1-800-687-8546 co.collin.tx.us/elections
Dallas County 214-819-6300 dallascountyvotes.org
Denton County 940-349-3200 votedenton.com
Tarrant County 817-831-8683 tarrantcounty.com/eVote
