Primer on voting in 2020
CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION
If you’ve voted in previous elections and haven’t moved, you’re probably ready to go. Check A online at votetexas.gov/register. You’ll need your date of birth and either your name, county and ZIP code or your Texas driver’s license number. If you have your registration card, you also canc use your voter ID number. A If you’ve moved – but stayed in the same county – or if any of your information is wrong, update it on the site. You’ll need your Texas driver’s license, Social Security number and voter ID number.
WHO CAN VOTE BYM AIL
Texas voters have to meet one of the following in order to vote by mail, also known as absentee voting.
A Those 65 or older on Election Day.
A Out of the county for both early voting and Election Day; for example, a student attending an out-of-state college, business traveler or military member on deployment.
A In jail with charges still pending.
A Sick or disabled and unable to visit a polling place. Election officials don’t have authority to require an explanation when this option is chosen.
HOW TO APPLY
Request an application for ballot by mail, also known as an ABBM.
At the Texas Secretary of State website, sos.texas.gov/elections/. You can find a link to it under Frequently Asked A Questions.
On your county election office’s website. At harrisvotes.com, click on Vote By Mail in the top left hand corner. Scroll A down, click on Application, fill it out and mail it to the county clerk by Oct. 23. The address is 1001 Preston, 4th Floor, Rm. 440, Houston, TX 77002.
At your county elections office. A
Youmay receive an application by the mail. Harris County is sending applications to all voters 65 and older. A Applications sent by mail have to arrive by Oct. 23, but you should get it in as early as possible. A
WHEN AND HOW TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT
Once you receive your ballot in the mail, fill it out and return it.
A Mail it to the county election office at the above address. It must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by 5 p.m. the day after.
A Deliver it to the Harris County election headquarters during business or voting hours by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The address is NRG Arena, Gate 8, Kirby Drive, Houston.
THE FINE PRINT
A Change your mind? Go to the polling site (bring your ballot and the envelope it camein if you have it) and ask the pollworker to cancel your mail ballot. Then vote as you would regularly.
A If someone helps you fill out the form, they are required by lawto sign the affirmation statement on the ballot.
A If the ballot is delivered to the election office, it must be in a sealed envelope and only the voter or the person who helped fill it out can deliver it. Pollworkers will check the ID of the person delivering it so an acceptable form of photo ID will be needed. For more information, go to votetexas.gov and select Voter ID.
A Visit harrisvotes.com/tracking to track your mail ballot.
VOTE IN PERSON A Early voting
When: Oct. 13-30. Polls will be open fromat least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on the two Sundays during that period, when the hours will be 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. From Oct. 27-29, most sites will be open from7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; seven will operate 24 hours.
Where: Harris County will have 120 early voting sites and 808 locations on Election Day. Voters can cast ballots anywhere; large sites include the Toyota Center and NRG Arena. The full list is available at harrisvotes.com, which also features await times feature so voters can seewhich sites have the shortest lines.
A Election Day
7 a.m. to 7 p.m .; list of voting centers, including mega centers, will be available at harrisvotes.com.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
One of seven acceptable forms of photo ID such as a Texas driver’s license. A For more information, go to votetexas.gov and select Voter ID.
Voter registration card recommended but not required. A
COVID-19
A Texas exempts pollworkers and voters from wearing masks, although the Harris elections department advises voters to wear masks.
Megacenters added in effort to provide for social distancing. A