Are you registered to vote? How to confirm before you head to the polls

HOUSTON, Texas – Many Houstonians have already cast their ballots during early voting, which is open through Nov. 1, but for those who have not and are worried they may not be registered, here’s how to know before you go.

How to check if you’re registered:

If you’re not sure if you’re registered, you can check the Texas Secretary of State’s website. You have three identification options to check, but you will for sure need to know your date of birth and county.

• Everything you need to know about early voting for the Nov. 5 election

You can also visit Can I Vote and click on voter registration status, choose your state, which takes you to a page on your state’s election website where you can check to see if you are registered.

Do you need to re-register or change your registration?

If your name and address have not changed and you are an active voter, you do not have to re-register or change your registration.

• Voting early? How to avoid long wait times in Harris County

You do have to re-register or change your registration if you have moved to another state and changed your name. Update your voter registration with your new location or your new name. Make sure you also update your state driver’s license or state ID card before the election, if that is the voter ID you will use.

• If you have moved permanently to another state. Register to vote in the new state.

Why you should look up your voter registration information:

States try to keep their voter registration lists as accurate as possible. This means:

• Removing registrations of voters who are no longer residents
• Marking some registrations as inactive

You may be marked inactive if you:

• Do not respond to election officials’ postcards or letters and
• Have not voted in the last two federal general elections (a midterm and a presidential election)

If your registration is inactive, you may have to take extra steps before you can vote. If you do not, you may have to cast a provisional ballot.

Checking and updating (as needed) your registration ahead of time ensures:

• Your name, address, and party affiliation are up-to-date. Depending on your state, you may not see your party affiliation listed when you check your registration. This is because some states do not require you to declare a party when you register.
• You have time to make any necessary changes if your registration is marked inactive.
• You can vote.
• You know your correct polling place.