November 6, 2018 - GO VOTE!
Friends, I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the upcoming midterm elections in Austin so I thought I’d put together this handy one-stop guide to help answer your FAQs and help you rock the vote on November 6! Special thanks to my friend Caroline Plapinger, Chief of Staff at the Texas House of Representatives for Rep.Mary González, for fact checking this guide. For more info not covered in this post, please visit: www.votetexas.gov
Frequently asked questions:
WHEN IS THE ELECTION?
November 6, 2018! Stamp it on your forehead. Write it on your forearm. Set an alarm, get in line or do whatever it takes to show up to the polls (7AM to 7PM) and vote! If you’re like me and don’t love the idea of queuing for ages at the polls, remember that early voting starts October 22 and ends November 2nd.
Am I registered to vote what is my precinct number? Check the Texas Secretary of State website to search if you are registered to vote. Your precinct number can be found on your voter registration card. If you do not have your card, are unsure of your precinct number, or need to confirm you are registered to vote, you can look online at the link above. Travis County also has an automated telephone system that will look that information up for you. It is available 24 hours a day. Just call (512) 238-VOTE (238-8683).
Where is my polling place? To see where your nearest polling place is for both the early voting AND election day check out this handy map at the Travis County Clerk’s office. Remember that for early voting, you are allowed to vote at ANY early voting location located in your county of residence.
On Election Day, you can only vote at the voting precinct assigned to you. Your our residence is located in a specific “precinct” or area within the county where you will vote on Election Day. In some cases, precincts may be combined to accommodate joint local elections. *You can find your voting precinct location by using the VoteTexas search site "My Voter Page", which will be populated with voting sites two days prior to election day. Many newspapers publish Election Day polling locations as well. Election Day voting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at all polling places statewide.
For questions regarding polling places, always consult your County Elections Office. *Your voting precinct number (Pct. No.) is located next to your year of birth on your voter registration certificate.
What Do I Need to Bring With Me to Vote?
Bring a valid photo ID to the polls. If you do not possess one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo identification and you cannot reasonably obtain one, show a supporting form of identification to the election official and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
Seven approved Forms of Photo ID
Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) issued by DPS
U.S. Military ID Card containing the person’s photograph
U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
U.S. Passport
Supporting documentation can be:
Valid Voter Registration Certificate
Certified Birth Certificate (must be an original)
Copy of or original current utility bill
Copy of or original bank statement
Copy of or original government check
Copy of or original paycheck
Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
Where can I learn more about the issues and candidates? For local issues in your area, check out the county website or local newspapers. Here are some of our top picks:
The Texas Tribune - Get to Know Your Candidates
Need more information or want to get involved? Check out:
Vote Run Lead - Get ready to run
Now go out and ROCK THE VOTE!
