Upcoming Local Elections in Texas: What You Need to Know
Texans, mark your calendars! Local elections are just around the corner, specifically on May 3. This is an important opportunity for residents in cities such as San Antonio and Fort Worth to make their voices heard.
Election Overview
In many areas of Texas, May elections tend to be common, occurring in odd-numbered years. Local governments often use this time to fill positions or approve significant initiatives, such as tax increases or bond proposals, which aid in funding community projects. For specific information about whether elections are happening in your community, consult your county’s election website or leverage resources like the League of Women Voters for local updates.
Ballot Contents
Voters will have the chance to decide on various important positions and proposals. Some notable elections on the ballot this year include:
- Mayor and city council elections in San Antonio (San Antonio Report Voter Guide)
- Fort Worth city council elections (Fort Worth Report Candidate Guide)
- Dallas city council elections (D Magazine Voter Guide)
- School board elections within districts such as Dallas ISD, El Paso ISD, and more.
Key Dates To Remember
April 3 is the final day to register to vote.
If you’re wondering how to check your voter registration, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website to verify your status.
How to Register
To register, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old by election day. Here’s how to ensure your registration by the deadline:
- Submit a paper application through your county’s voter registrar. You can find the registrar’s contact information here.
- Register through a volunteer deputy voter registrar.
- Mail your application to the voter registrar’s office, ensuring it is postmarked by April 3.
Voting Options
For those unable to vote in person, mail-in voting is an option, but eligibility is limited. You can vote by mail if you:
- Are 65 or older on election day.
- Will be outside of your county during the entire voting period, including early voting.
- Have a disability or sickness that prevents you from voting in person.
- Are currently confined in jail but not convicted of a felony.
Mail-in Voting Deadlines
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is April 22. Mail-in ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on election day, May 3, and will be counted if postmarked by that time and received by the county by May 5.
Election Day and Early Voting
Early voting will take place from April 22-29. On election day, May 3, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Be sure to check your local county’s website for polling locations.
What to Bring to the Polls
When voting in person, you must present an acceptable form of photo identification, such as a:
- Texas driver’s license
- Texas election identification certificate
- U.S. military ID card with photo
- U.S. passport
If you don’t have an ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot by signing a declaration of your impediment to obtaining an ID.
Preparing for Runoff Elections
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, a runoff election will take place on June 7. Remember to register or update your registration by May 8.
Final Notes
Completing your registration and understanding the voting procedures are crucial steps to ensuring your participation in the democratic process. For more details on mail-in voting and other resources, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website at votetexas.gov.
