Texas Voting Requirements to Know for Texas Government

Understanding Texas voting requirements is essential for participating in the democratic process. These rules cover citizenship, age, residency, and identification, ensuring that every voter meets the necessary criteria to make their voice heard in elections.

1. U.S. citizenship requirement

   • Must be a citizen of the United States to register and vote in Texas.
   • Proof of citizenship may be required during the registration process.
   • Non-citizens are prohibited from voting in any elections.

2. Age requirement (18 years or older)

   • Voters must be at least 18 years old on or before election day.
   • Individuals who are 17 years old can preregister if they will be 18 by election day.
   • Age verification may be required at the time of voting.

3. Texas residency requirement

   • Must be a resident of Texas for at least 30 days before the election.
   • Voter registration must reflect a current Texas address.
   • Residency is determined by where a person intends to remain.

4. Registration deadline (30 days before an election)

   • Voter registration must be completed at least 30 days prior to an election.
   • Late registrations will not be accepted for that election cycle.
   • It is advisable to check registration status well before the deadline.

5. Valid photo ID requirement

   • Voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls.
   • Acceptable IDs include Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, U.S. passport, and others.
   • Voters without ID may cast a provisional ballot and provide ID later.

6. Felony conviction restrictions

   • Individuals with felony convictions may lose their voting rights while incarcerated.
   • Voting rights are restored automatically upon completion of the sentence, including parole and probation.
   • Individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors do not lose their voting rights.

7. Mental competency requirements

   • Individuals declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to vote.
   • A court must have made a formal determination regarding mental competency.
   • This requirement is in place to ensure informed voting.

8. No requirement to declare party affiliation for general elections

   • Voters do not need to declare a political party to participate in general elections.
   • This allows for greater flexibility in voting choices.
   • Party affiliation may be required for primary elections.

9. Early voting options

   • Texas offers early voting, typically starting 17 days before an election.
   • Voters can cast their ballots at designated early voting locations.
   • Early voting provides more flexibility and convenience for voters.

10. Absentee/mail-in voting eligibility criteria

    • Voters may request a mail-in ballot if they meet certain criteria, such as being out of the county on election day.
    • Other eligibility includes being 65 years or older, being disabled, or being confined due to illness.
    • Mail-in ballots must be requested and returned by specific deadlines to be counted.