HOUSTON – The deadline to submit an application for a mail-in ballot in Texas is Friday, Oct. 25. If you haven’t submitted your application yet, you still have time, but make sure to act quickly.
According to Brazoria County Clerk Joyce Hudman, if you’re running short on time, you have options.
“You can fax or email your application by the deadline and mail the original within four business days,” Hudman explained.
For example, if you submit your application electronically on Friday, you have until Thursday of next week to mail in the original copy.
Voting by Mail: Who Qualifies?
Many Texas voters may be eligible to vote by mail if they meet one of the following criteria:
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day
- Sick or disabled
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Absent from the county of registration during the Early Voting period and on Election Day
- Confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote
College students studying away from home can also take advantage of mail-in voting, but applications must be submitted by the Friday deadline.
If you have questions about the application process, Hudman recommends contacting local election officials for peace of mind, especially if those questions concern eligibility or deadlines.
Applying for a Mail-In Ballot
If you qualify for mail-in voting, you can request an application in two ways:
- Call your local election office to have an application sent to you.
- Download the application from VoteTexas.gov.
Hudman highlighted a common issue with applications. “The biggest thing we see missing is either no Texas driver’s license number or no last four digits of your Social Security number,” she said. Applications missing those details are not accepted. Applicants are informed about the denial by mail, and still have an opportunity to vote in person.
Make sure to provide both your Driver’s License and Social Security numbers to avoid processing delays. You’ll also need to include the address where you’ll be on Election Day, especially if you’re requesting a mail-in ballot due to being out of town.
Completing and Returning Your Ballot
Once you receive your ballot, here are the key steps to follow to ensure it is counted:
- Mark your ballot using black or blue ink.
- Place the voted ballot inside the Ballot Envelope, seal it, and then place it inside the Carrier Envelope.
- Make sure to write your identification number under the flap of the Carrier Envelope and sign it as you did on the application.
- Apply appropriate postage before mailing it back.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and received by 5 p.m. the next business day.
You can also drop off your completed ballot in person on Election Day with a valid photo ID, contact your county election officials to find the drop off location in your jurisdiction.
Tracking Your Ballot
Voters worried about their ballots reaching their election office can use the Track My Ballot tool on VoteTexas.gov.
“It will tell you if we’ve received the application, if the ballot has been mailed, and whether we’ve received the completed ballot,” explained Brazoria County Lead Election Clerk Susan Cunningham.
If you miss the mail-in application deadline, your option will be to vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. For more information on your voting options and how to apply, visit VoteTexas.gov.