Step 7 of 8
Make your plan to vote
To vote in person, you go to a polling place — a real building near you, like a school, church, or library. You do not vote from home. There is no voting by phone or internet. You show up, and workers there help you.
Find your polling place
Your county publishes a list of polling places with addresses and hours:
Three ways to vote
- Early, in person. “Election Day” is the last day to vote. But the polls open for about two weeks before it, so you can come whenever it suits you. This is called early voting, and the lines are shorter. In Texas you can vote early at any early-voting location in your county.
- On Election Day, in person. Vote on the big day itself. In Travis County you may vote at any vote center; some other counties assign you a place.
- By mail. Only some people qualify. For example: if you are 65 or older, sick or disabled, out of the county on all voting days, or in jail but eligible. You must apply for a mail ballot ahead of time. See the mail deadlines on Step 4.
You cannot vote by phone
You cannot vote by phone, text, email, or website in Texas. You must vote on paper, in person or by mail. Anyone who tells you to “vote by phone” is wrong.
What to bring
- An accepted photo ID, for example a Texas driver license, a U.S. passport, or a Texas state ID card. A college or student ID is not accepted. See the full list on the Texas Secretary of State website.
- Know your polling place ahead of time, and check its hours.
- Bring notes on your choices if you want — on paper. That is allowed.
- Someone to help you, if you want one. You may bring a person into the voting booth to help you — for example, to read or translate the ballot, or to help if you have trouble seeing, reading, or moving. This is your right under Texas law.
Your ID is your ticket in — like showing ID to pick up a package.
It is usually quick. If you would like help — with the language, with reading, or with a disability — you may bring your own helper, or ask a poll worker for help.
⚠ Watch out — common mistakes
- Most Texans cannot vote by mail. Do not count on it unless you qualify, and remember that applying for a mail ballot has its own earlier deadline.
- Bring an accepted photo ID. The name on it should match your registration. You do not need your voter registration card.
- Know where to go. In Travis County you may vote at any vote center. Some other counties assign you a specific place on Election Day — check your county’s list.
- Early voting and Election Day can use different locations and hours. Check the one you plan to use.
- No phones or cameras within 100 feet of the voting machines (Texas law). Look up your choices before you go, and bring your notes on paper. This keeps your vote private.
- Your helper cannot be certain people. If you bring someone to help you vote, they cannot be your employer or anyone who acts for your employer (like a boss, a supervisor, or a lawyer they hired). And if you belong to a union, your helper cannot be an officer or anyone who acts for your union (like an organizer or a lawyer they hired). Anyone else you trust is fine.