Texas Mail-In Ballot 101

Editor's Note: This piece has been updated for the November 2020 Texas general election. The original blog was published in October 2018. 

Para información sobre cómo votar anticipadamente con boleta por correo postal, visite govotetexas.org/es.

Here’s everything you need to know about voting by mail in Texas.

Step 1: Eligibility

To vote by mail, you must first complete an Application for Ballot by Mail. You can request an application here if:

• you are 65 years or older;

• you are disabled;

  • The Texas election code defines a disability as a “sickness or physical condition” that prevents a voter from appearing in person without the risk of “injuring the voter’s health.”

• you will be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or

• you are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

NOTE: There is an ongoing legal fight over whether the novel coronavirus means more people should be eligible to vote by mail in Texas this year. Click here to see the status of these cases.

Step 2: Fill out the application

You must fill out, sign, and submit your application to vote by mail to your county’s election office by Friday, October 23. You can do so via email or by mail (deadline is received, not postmarked).

If you are applying to vote by mail claiming disability, you're not required to list what your disability is. Standard practice is to just check the disability box.

Step 3: Vote!

You will then receive a mail ballot from your county’s election office.

Step 4: Turn in your ballot

For most people voting absentee, counties must receive completed ballots that are postmarked by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day). Under Texas’ election code, an absentee ballot can be delivered to the county clerk’s office by mail or dropped off in person on the day of the election with a valid form of ID. We recommend sending in your ballot at least two weeks before Election Day so that it arrives on time. Otherwise, we recommend delivering it in to the county clerk's office in person. 

Military Voters

If you are a military voter, here is everything you need to know about voting by mail.

Happy voting!