Texas

Absentee Ballot Process

Voting by Mail in Texas is limited to those with certain eligibility requirements. The last day to request a mail ballot is 11 days before the election, and your marked ballot must be received by your Election Clerk by 7pm on Election Day. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BY MAIL? 

To qualify to vote-by-mail, 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 years old or older, 

• Confined to jail serving a misdemeanor sentence; or confined to jail without bail pending trial for a felony or appeal of a felony conviction, 

• Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, or 

• Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code 

HOW DO I REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL? 

You may request a mail ballot 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. 

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL? 

The last day to request a ballot by mail is 11 days before the election. You can return your mail ballot request form through the mail or in-person to your county’s Early Voting Clerk.  

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING A BALLOT BY MAIL? 

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 of the United States.  

WHEN ARE MAIL BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM? 

Ballots are mailed out 30 to 45 days before an election or 7 days after the county election office receives an application. 

HOW DO I COMPLETE MY MAIL BALLOT? 

When you receive your ballot, be sure to:  

1. Mark your ballot using a black or blue pen, 

2. Place your ballot in the ballot envelope and seal it, 

3. Place the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope, 

4. 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, 

5. Seal it, and 

6. 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 of the United States. 

HOW DO I RETURN MY MAIL BALLOT IN PERSON? 

You can return your marked ballot in the official carrier envelope to the Early Voting Clerk on Election Day while the polls are open. You must show your ID and sign a form to return it in person. Contact your county election officials for more information. 

CAN I TRACK MY MAILED BALLOT AND/OR BALLOT BY MAIL APPLICATION? 

You can track the status of your ballot by mail application or ballot online here. If you have any issues with your state’s online tracker, please contact your local elections official. 

WHAT IF I REQUESTED A BALLOT BY MAIL BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON? 

Bring your 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, and your vote will be counted once the county determines it never received a mail ballot from you. 

HOW DO I REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL AS AN OVERSEAS OR U.S. MILITARY VOTER? 

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request a mail ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.