Tips for Voters – New Election Laws

During the 87th Regular and Special Legislative sessions, voting was a major topic of conversation and a point of great contention. Nonetheless, several voting bills passed that are now in effect. TEV partner, the League of Women Voters of Texas, has put together some helpful tips for voters about these new Texas election laws.

Voter Registration

  • Update your voter registration online if you moved or changed your name here.
  • For student voters, it is safest and easiest to register and vote at your school address.
  • It’s safest for voters without a residence to use an address other than a PO box on the voter registration application.

Early Voting

  • You must be allowed to cast a ballot if you are in line before the poll closing time.
  • Small counties now provide longer hours for early voting.

Vote By Mail (VBM)

  • New! Who else qualifies?
    • Voters expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after election day
  • Coming soon! VBM tracker & “Cure” process @votetexas.gov
    • Track your VBM application and VBM ballot throughout the election process
    • Provide contact information on your VBM application so the county may contact you if you need to fix an error with your application or ballot.
  • Voters
    • Request a Vote By Mail application from your county election office
    • Provide Voter ID (TXDL, Personal ID, EIC Number or, if not available, the last four of SSN) on your VBM application and carrier-envelope
    • Use the same Voter ID number on your voter registration application, Vote By Mail application, and Vote by Mail carrier envelope.
  • Leagues
    • Counties may not provide applications to organizations. Print VBM applications to share with voters.

Poll watchers

  • Poll watchers are required to take training and sign an oath but have fewer restrictions on movement and observation.

Persons who assist voters

  • Persons who assist voters with a VBM application, VBM ballot or in-person ballot must provide their relationship to the voter, address, sign an oath, and mark that they didn’t receive compensation.
  • Persons who drive 7 or more voters who qualify for curbside voting must sign a form.

For more information or assistance

  • LWVTexas.org or VOTE411.org
  • Election Protection 866ourvote.org 866-687-8683
  • Texas Secretary of State VoteTexas.gov (800) 252-VOTE

    Thank you to the League of Women Voters of Texas for this helpful information. You can access a printable document with the above information here.

Laura Yeager
Texas Educators Vote