Editor's Note: This piece has been updated for the November 2022 Texas general election. The previous version was published in 2021.

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 print or request an application here if:

• you are 65 years or older;
• you are disabled;
  • 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; 
• you expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; 
• you are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

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, Oct. 28. You can submit the application 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 just to check the disability box.

When filling out your application, you must include your Texas driver’s license number or the last four digits of your social security number. The number you use must match the one you used on your voter registration application. If you don’t remember whether you used your license or the last four digits of your social security number, we recommend writing both!

Step 3: Vote!

You will then receive a mail ballot from your county’s election office. You can find tips on how to fill out your mail ballot here. Remember to include the same ID number you used when applying for your mail ballot. We recommend writing both your Texas driver’s license number and the last four digits of your social security.

Step 4: Turn in your ballot

For most people voting absentee, counties must receive completed ballots by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8 (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 at the county election office on Election Day, with a valid form of ID. 

If you decide to vote in person after receiving your ballot, no problem! Just take your mail ballot to your polling place during early voting or on Election Day so you can vote in person. 

If you’re mailing your ballot, we recommend sending it in at least two weeks before Election Day so that it arrives on time. Otherwise, we recommend delivering your ballot to the county clerk's office in person. You can track your ballot at VoteTexas.gov.

Military Voters

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

Happy voting, y’all!