DALLAS — Early voting for the Nov. 5 election to pick the next president of the U.S. begins next week in Texas.
Early voting in the general election begins Oct. 21 and runs until Nov. 1. There are several key races on the ballot in North Texas. Voters will decide a hotly-contested U.S. Senate race between incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred. Dallas will also have various city charter proposals on the ballot.
Here’s where to find what’s on your ballot, important dates in the upcoming election and more.
Am I registered to vote?
The deadline to register to vote has passed, but you can check your registration status here.
What’s on the ballot?
Where do I vote?
Here are links to county election offices, which have lists of polling locations
Deadline to send in your application to vote by mail
The deadline to send in your application to vote by mail in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 25.
Deadline to send in your mail-in ballot
Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. if the carrier envelope is not postmarked or Nov. 6 if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at the election location on election day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply).
Who’s eligible to vote by mail?
In Texas you’re eligible to vote by mail if:
- 65 years or older on Election Day
- Sick or disabled
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Absent from the county of registration during the early voting period and on election day
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code
- Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
How to apply for a ballot by mail
You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail by:
- Downloading an application for a ballot by mail from the Texas Secretary of State’s website
- visiting the Texas Secretary of State’s office
- The early voting clerk in your county.
To vote by mail, you must provide one of the following numbers on your application:
- Texas Driver’s License, Texas Personal Identification Number or Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (NOT your voter registration VUID number)
- If you have not been issued one of the numbers above, the last four digits of your Social Security Number
Voters can send applications to vote by mail to the early voting clerk by:
- In-person delivery
- Regular mail
- Common or contract carrier or
- Fax