(Trends Wide Spanish) — Texas, one of the most important states for midterm elections in the United States, has been decisive in choosing presidential candidates in the last four decades, so what happens on November 8 could influence the 2024 presidential elections.
This is what you should know about the midterm elections in Texas.
File photo. Early elections in El Paso, Texas (Credit: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)
What is chosen?
Residents of Texas, a traditionally Republican state, will vote in these elections, among others, for state governor. Current Governor Greg Abbott is seeking re-election for a third term and is facing former state congressman Beto O’Rourke, who in the 2018 midterm elections was on the verge of beating Senator Ted Cruz in the legislative race.
Other public offices that will be voted for in Texas, among others, are:
- lieutenant governor
- The 38 representatives from Texas to the United States House
- Fiscal general
- Comptroller
- Commissioner of the General Land Office
- agriculture commissioner
- Railway Commissioners
- 3 members of the Supreme Court
- 3 members of the Court of Criminal Appeals
- The 15 members of the State Board of Education
- All 31 state senators
- The 150 state representatives
- Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeals
How to vote?
You can vote in Texas early, either in person or by mail-in ballot, or in person on Election Day.
Voters can vote using a paper ballot, which is counted through an optical scanning system, or through a direct electronic recording voting system.
When paper ballots are used, the election can be marked manually and then it is counted by an electronic system. The type of voting system will depend on the county or city, and can vary by day, says the Texas Elections website.
vote in person
Those registered in Texas will be able to vote in person at their county polling places from 17 days before the election to four days before the election.
If a voter is physically unable to enter the polling place and wants to vote in person, they can ask an election official to bring their ballot to a car parked on the curb or at the polling place entrance.
Absentee ballot
Voting by mail in Texas is limited to persons 65 years of age or older, persons with physical disabilities, women due to give birth within the next three weeks, who are absent from the county where they must vote during the voting period early and on election day, those who are in prison but can vote, according to the rules.
To vote this way, you must request your ballot at the Secretary of State or at your county early voting clerk’s office 17 days before the early voting period begins. It is necessary to provide an identity document and send it to the Early Voting Clerkship by hand delivery, mailing, common carrier, email or even fax if available.
Key dates for voting in Texas
- October 11 — Last day to register to vote.
- Oct. 24 — In-person early election opens.
- October 28 — Last day to apply to vote by mail.
- November 4 — Last day to vote in person early.
- November 4 — Last day to submit ballots by mail.
- November 8 — Election Day: Polls will be open between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm local time.
Where do I check my polling station?
You can find your polling place by going to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, “Am I Registered?” and providing data such as name, county, and date of birth.
On this page you can also check your registration status, your polling place location, early voting locations, key election dates, as well as update your registration details.
Related Post
(Trends Wide Spanish) — Texas, one of the most important states for midterm elections in the United States, has been decisive in choosing presidential candidates in the last four decades, so what happens on November 8 could influence the 2024 presidential elections.
This is what you should know about the midterm elections in Texas.
File photo. Early elections in El Paso, Texas (Credit: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)
What is chosen?
Residents of Texas, a traditionally Republican state, will vote in these elections, among others, for state governor. Current Governor Greg Abbott is seeking re-election for a third term and is facing former state congressman Beto O’Rourke, who in the 2018 midterm elections was on the verge of beating Senator Ted Cruz in the legislative race.
Other public offices that will be voted for in Texas, among others, are:
- lieutenant governor
- The 38 representatives from Texas to the United States House
- Fiscal general
- Comptroller
- Commissioner of the General Land Office
- agriculture commissioner
- Railway Commissioners
- 3 members of the Supreme Court
- 3 members of the Court of Criminal Appeals
- The 15 members of the State Board of Education
- All 31 state senators
- The 150 state representatives
- Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeals
How to vote?
You can vote in Texas early, either in person or by mail-in ballot, or in person on Election Day.
Voters can vote using a paper ballot, which is counted through an optical scanning system, or through a direct electronic recording voting system.
When paper ballots are used, the election can be marked manually and then it is counted by an electronic system. The type of voting system will depend on the county or city, and can vary by day, says the Texas Elections website.
vote in person
Those registered in Texas will be able to vote in person at their county polling places from 17 days before the election to four days before the election.
If a voter is physically unable to enter the polling place and wants to vote in person, they can ask an election official to bring their ballot to a car parked on the curb or at the polling place entrance.
Absentee ballot
Voting by mail in Texas is limited to persons 65 years of age or older, persons with physical disabilities, women due to give birth within the next three weeks, who are absent from the county where they must vote during the voting period early and on election day, those who are in prison but can vote, according to the rules.
To vote this way, you must request your ballot at the Secretary of State or at your county early voting clerk’s office 17 days before the early voting period begins. It is necessary to provide an identity document and send it to the Early Voting Clerkship by hand delivery, mailing, common carrier, email or even fax if available.
Key dates for voting in Texas
- October 11 — Last day to register to vote.
- Oct. 24 — In-person early election opens.
- October 28 — Last day to apply to vote by mail.
- November 4 — Last day to vote in person early.
- November 4 — Last day to submit ballots by mail.
- November 8 — Election Day: Polls will be open between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm local time.
Where do I check my polling station?
You can find your polling place by going to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, “Am I Registered?” and providing data such as name, county, and date of birth.
On this page you can also check your registration status, your polling place location, early voting locations, key election dates, as well as update your registration details.
