First Things First: How am I Voting?

Vote by Mail

If you are 65+ years old, disabled, out of the county during early voting and Election Day, or confined in jail but are otherwise eligible to vote, you can apply for a ballot by mail.

These applications must be received, not postmarked, by Friday, October 26th. You can get an application and instructions on how to submit your application here –– do this ASAP if you need to vote by mail! If you are voting in this way, the deadline for your ballot to be received by mail is Tuesday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Voting at a Polling Location

In Travis County, you can vote at any polling location during early voting (October 22nd-November 2nd) and on Election Day (November 6th). You can find a list of Travis County polling locations here. There are two polling locations on the UT campus –– the PCL and the FAC. I highly recommend voting early if you plan to vote on campus: the lines on Election Day often have 2+ hour lines.

Throughout Texas, you can vote at any polling location during early voting. You can find polling locations here a few days before early voting begins.

Don’t forget to bring an approved form of Voter ID if you’re headed to the polls in Texas. You can find a list of these here, or you can refer to the graphic below.

Other States

If you’re not voting in Texas, I recommend consulting your state or county’s website or this website to find your polling place as well as information on absentee ballots.

Being an Informed Voter

What’s on My Ballot?

You can find a personalized sample ballot here. You are allowed to bring a printed voter’s guide or notes into the voting booth, so you can mark off your choices, print your completed ballot, and take it with you to vote.

Where Can I Get Information on Candidates and Issues?

The League of Women Voters offers great non-partisan voter guides each election. The Austin voter guide will be available here before the first day of early voting. You can also find information about the candidates and their stances on certain issues while filling out a sample ballot here –– this website works country-wide.

Many political groups offer endorsements. If you do not have a significant amount time, following the endorsements of a group that you are aligned with is a good way to prevent guessing at the voting booth.

Additionally, know that you never have to vote in every race. You are allowed to abstain in any or all races that you do not have enough information to make an informed vote for.

A Final Note

If you are in Texas, do not vote for Ken Paxton. He is under indictment for two counts of fraud and one count of breaking securities laws. He also stole another lawyer’s $1,000 pen at the Collin County courthouse.

First of all, the deadline to register to vote is October 9th. That’s just over a week away, so now’s not the time to procrastinate.

The following is intended to be a simple-to-follow guide for all people seeking advice on voter registration.

Am I Registered?

Travis county, check here. Texans, check here. Other Americans, check here.

Changing Name or Address Within the Same County?

This is easy! Assuming you’re in Texas, go here. We don’t have online voter registration in Texas (yet –– crossing my fingers), but for those who just need to change their name or address on their registration that is active in their current county, this is possible to do 100% online.

UT Students:

The best way to register to vote is to visit one of the orgs on campus. University Democrats will be tabling every week day until the deadline from 10–3 on West Mall. Hours will be extended on deadline day! Hang tight for more details. There will also be opportunities to register to vote until midnight at Gregory Plaza on October 9th.

Texans:

Get a voter registration application here, print it out, sign it, and send it in. You can also find a VDR and register in person: in many cases, you can do this at your county’s tax office. Find your county’s Voter Registration official here.

Other States:

Find out more specific information about your state here.

For Texans: Voter ID

For many out-of-state students, voter ID is difficult to obtain. Here is a list of acceptable forms of ID as well as forms of supporting ID that can presented if you do not possess nor can you reasonably obtain one of the acceptable forms of ID.