Absentee voting is available if you meet any of the criteria below. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 11 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail or in person. Voted absentee ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day in order to be counted. Contact your local elections office for more information.
To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must be:
- Absent from your county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period
- Sick or have a disability that prevents you from voting in person without assistance
- 65 or older
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after election day
- Confined to jail serving a misdemeanor sentence; or confined to jail without bail pending trial for a felony or appeal of a felony conviction;
- or Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code
You may request a Vote by Mail application from your early voting clerk in the county where you are registered or use this application form. Read the application instructions carefully, complete the application, and return it to your Early Voting Clerk.
Ballots are mailed out 30 to 45 days before an election or 7 days after the county election office receives an application. When you receive your ballot, be sure to:
- mark your ballot using a black or blue pen
- place your ballot in the ballot envelope and seal it
- place the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope
- complete all information UNDER THE FLAP of the carrier envelope, including your contact information, your voter ID number AND the last four digits of your social security number
- seal it
- sign your name OVER THE FLAP of the carrier envelope
The Early Voting Clerk must receive your marked ballot by 7pm on Election Day, or by the 5th day after Election Day if your ballot is submitted from outside the US.
Returning your Vote by Mail Ballot in person: A marked Vote by Mail ballot in the official carrier envelope may be turned in by the voter to the Early Voting Clerk on Election Day while the polls are open. For the voter to hand-deliver their Vote by Mail ballot to the Early Voting Clerk, they must show their ID and sign a form. Please contact your county election officials for more information.
Those who requested a Vote by Mail ballot but would like to vote in person: Bring your Vote by Mail ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided. If you don’t have your ballot or never received it, you will be able to cast a provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted once the county determines it never received your Vote by Mail ballot.
Resource List:
- How to Apply and Vote by Mail
A handy checklist for completing any Vote by Mail application and for completing the carrier envelope used to mail your ballot.
- Foldable Pocket Guide – How to Vote by Mail
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.
