How to vote on Election Day in Texas

It’s the big day and you haven’t voted early, so you’ll be making your way to your local polling place to cast your ballot. When you pull up to your polling place, you might see a lot of people, including folks waving signs for different candidates. Know that those campaigners cannot be within 100 feet of the polling place. Do not be intimated, vote for whomever you want to.

Find your nearest polling places here and let’s get into all the Election Day basics. 

What to know about Election Day- Tuesday November 5, 2024

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time. If you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line! 

At this point, you’re already registered to vote, so you’ll just need to bring a valid (not expired) ID to your polling place of choice. 

There are seven acceptable forms of IDs to vote in Texas, including a Texas driver’s license, a passport, a Texas handgun license, a military ID, a Texas identification card, a U.S. citizenship certificate with a personal photo, and a Texas election identification certificate.  

If you do not have an ID, you may provide proof of residency by filling out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and providing a utility bill, bank statement, or other document. If you have no proof of residency or approved ID, you can request a provisional ballot in advance. In this case, you will be asked to provide proof of ID within six days of Election Day at your county registrar. 

In the voting booth

Voting can be manual or digital, depending on the polling place. 

If manual: An election worker will hand you your ballot. Take this ballot into an empty voting booth and completely fill out each bubble with the pen provided, both front and back! You’ll then place your ballot into the provided privacy sleeve and head to the tabulation machine, where you’ll simply slide the ballot (not the sleeve) into a slot or other designated ballot return box. That’s it! 

If digital: An election worker will hand you your ballot.You’ll slide the ballot into the voting machine and the questions will pop up on the screen, asking you to pick your preferred candidates. You can touch the screen to make your choice, navigate to the end of the survey, and your ballot will print out. You’ll then add it to the tabulation machine, where you’ll simply slide the ballot into the slot. Then, you’re done!

Pro tips

• While everyone will choose  from the same presidential and statewide candidates on Election Day, every district’s ballot will also include local candidates. Do your research before arriving at the polls so you feel prepared to confidently cast your vote. Thankfully, ballot previews exist so voters know exactly what to expect when they arrive at the polls. 

To preview your personalized local ballot, head to BallotPedia and enter your information. If available, you’ll be able to access a sample ballot and carefully review each candidate or proposal well ahead of Election Day.

• Plan ahead — depending on the popularity of your polling place and the time you go, there could be a line. Use the bathroom before you go and bring water or a snack with you.
• If you’re planning to go before work, it might be a good idea to inform your employer that you’ll be doing so in case the lines are long and you run late. Your employer can decide a block of time for employees to go vote. If your work schedule doesn’t allow you to have two consecutive hours during the 12 hours the polls are open on Election Day, your employer is required by state law to provide you with a “reasonable amount of time to vote” and you should be paid for that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my kid with me into the voting booth? 

Yes. There are no rules against bringing a child into the voting booth with you. Of course, make sure your child is quiet and respectful as others vote. 

What if I don’t have a ride to the polls on Election Day?

If you need a ride to the polls on Election Day, be sure to check your public transportation options. Alternatively, there are multiple organizations willing to help. One option is RideShare2Vote, a multi-state organization that connects voters with drivers to coordinate transportation to the polls. Check out their website for details. 

Can I wear political gear to the polls?

Along with discussing your voting preferences with fellow voters at the polling location, wearing buttons, hats, shirts, or other garments advertising your preferred candidates is considered “electioneering.” Just don’t do it. 

Can I bring my phone into the polling place?

No. Under Texas law, wireless communication devices may not be used within 100 feet of a voting station. 

What if the poll workers say I’m not eligible to vote, but I believe I am?

Ask for a provisional ballot. Per the ACLU, all voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, which will require election officials to look into your voter eligibility status after Election Day and count your ballot if you are indeed qualified. 

What is voter intimidation?

Voter intimidation is prohibited by federal law and involves the attempted interference with a person’s ability to freely vote. Examples include displaying false signage about voter requirements, impersonating a poll worker to spread false information, and aggressively questioning voters regarding their citizen or voting right status. Most states also have laws against political campaigning within a certain distance of a polling location. In Texas, the limit is 100 feet. 

If you believe you’ve experienced voter intimidation, report it to your local election office and call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (English) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish). You can find more information, including hotline options for additional languages, here.