How do I register to vote?

You are eligible to register to vote if:

• You are a United States citizen;
• You are a resident of the county where you submit the application;
• You are at least 17 years and 10 months old, and you will be 18 years of age on Election Day
• You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and you have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.  If you have been convicted of a crime you can check your voter eligibility here. 

If you meet the above criteria you can register to vote via one of the below options.

 - Register in person at one of our onsite voter registration drives.  Find the next drive location here.

 - Register online at VoteTexas.gov.  Once you fill out the online application you will need to print it out and mail/deliver it to your local County Voter  Registrar.   Your registration becomes effective 30 days after it is submitted (and accepted) by the County Voter Registrar. 

I think I registered a while ago — so how do I verify that I am still active and on my state’s roll?

It is especially important—with all the voter purging activities occurring right now—that all of us verify our voter registration status?  You can check your voter registration status at the link below.

Voter Registration Status Verification

How do I find my polling place?

Once you are registered to vote, you can vote at your local polling place on Election Day or during the early voting timeframe.  We suggest voting during the early voting timeframe to avoid or have time to correct any issues that may occur. 

To locate a polling place in your area visit the link below.

Voting Poll Locations

What should I do if I face obstruction on Election Day?

Obstructions voters may face on Election Day include polls opening late or closing early, a lack of ballots, or having one’s identity, identification, or voter registration status improperly challenged.

If you face any obstruction or attempt at obstruction on Election Day or early voting dates, please report the problem directly to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Does my vote really make a difference?

YES! Voting is a civic privilege and democratic duty, and we must all exercise our right to vote. Presidential elections may receive the most attention and funding, but every election matters and influences the wellbeing of our communities. Many elections indicate how impactful a single vote can be: Dave Adkins, for example, recaptured his spot in the New Hampshire House of Representatives by two votes in 2016. David Ainsworth won his seat in the Vermont House of Representatives by just one single ballot that year. The list continues, but the message stays the same: each vote counts, and each election matters.

Exercise Your Right to Vote!

The Secretary of State’s Elections Division provides assistance and advice to election officials on the proper conduct of elections. This includes hosting seminars and elections schools, providing calendars, ballot certification, primary election funding, and legal interpretations of election laws to election officials. They also provide assistance to the general public on voter registration and other election issues. Contact the Elections Division by visiting 1019 Brazos St. Austin, Texas 78701 or by calling toll free 1.800.252.VOTE (8683) or 512.463.5650 or by e-mail at elections@sos.texas.gov.

Candidate information and rules & regulations

2022 Candidate Search

Click here for information about candidates that have filed for office.

Administrative Rules Search

Search Rules & regulations from state agencies, boards, and commissions here.

Candidate Information

Information for candidates running for public office including official forms, handbooks, and more can be found here. 

District Maps

View a map of the congressional district here.

Elected Officials

Resources to help you find and contact your State Senator or Representatives, county and city officials, and judges.

Elected Officials Directory

Election Officials and Officeholders

Election Results 

Find historical elections results here.

Every Texan

Every Texan exists to provide Texans with research-based information and education about public issues. Every Texan offers knowledge, solutions, and tools to help you more easily and thoroughly understand, discuss, and make decisions about public policy.

https://everytexan.org/

Military and convicted crime voting

Military, and Overseas Voting

Find all the information you need to register and vote when in the military or living overseas here. 

What if I have been convicted of a crime?

Individuals convicted of a felony are ineligible to vote while in prison, on parole, or on probation. Voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of all supervised releases. Ex-offenders should re-register to vote.

How do I restore my right to vote?

The right to vote is a fundamental civil right that enables citizens to participate in the nation's political system. Therefore, it is very important for people with a felony conviction to know and understand how they can restore their voting rights.

Unlike some states where certain felons permanently lose their rights to vote, Texas grants eligibility to vote once felons complete their sentence, parole, or probation. Texas is one of the states that automatically restore your right to vote once you satisfy one of the requirements listed under section 4 of Texas' election code. However, you should note you must register again to vote and be prepared to show proof that you have complied with your sentencing requirements.