FAQ Voting

Q. How do Texas Primaries work?

A. In Texas, we have "open" primaries- meaning that we have no Party registration, and you can vote in either Democratic OR Republican primary. If you vote in one Party's primary, you can only vote in that same Party's runoff. But if you didn't vote in either Party's primary, you can vote in either one's runoff.

When you enter the polling location, you'll be asked to point to your Party preference. Point, and they'll give you a number that will bring up that Party's ballot with all the candidates who are running. You will ONLY see that one Party's candidates- we don't have "top two" like California and some other states might have.

Q. What IDs do I need to take to vote.

A. See this page on our website.

 

Q. I've moved recently, does the address on my ID have to match that on the voter database?

A. No, if you've not updated your address with the Elections Office, you should be offered a form to fill out to give the correct address, but you can still vote, as long as you're registered in that county. (Even if registered in another county, you should still be given a federal ballot to vote, as long as you’re registered in Texas.) You can also update your address (if previously registered in Texas) online. Note that you’ll need your Texas Driver’s License or Texas ID to do this- you’ll be asked for some numbers that are on it.

 

Q. I don't have a Texas Driver's License and couldn't get an appointment to get one until after the election. What ID can I use?

A. Please see this page. It gives you all the other IDs that can be used, and what constitutes a "reasonable impediment" that allows you to use the alternative forms of ID.

 

Q. What’s a “reasonable impediment” for using alternative forms of ID?

A. Please see this page for explanation.

Q. I never got my voter registration card this year. (Or I can't find my voter registration card.) Can I still vote?

A. You do NOT need your voter registration card. In fact, even if you take it, you still have to show a state issued photo ID from the approved list (or the alternatives listed.)

 

 

Q. I registered when I got (or renewed) my Texas Driver's license. But when I went to vote, the Election Clerk said I'm not registered. What can I do?

A. First of all, request a Provisional Ballot- by law, they MUST give you at least a Provisional Ballot. Vote it, then contact the Texas Democratic Party (1-844-TX-VOTES) and tell them, and report to the Secretary of State (800-252-8683). Link to article about the lawsuit: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/texas-voters-win-motor-voter-lawsuit-settled

Q. May I take my smart phone in with me with my list of who to vote for?

A. No. It's against the law to have your phone out within 100 feet of the polling location. You can, however, have the people you want to vote for written or typed, or downloaded on a piece of paper, or a piece of lit from a political Party, as long as the logo or name of the Party isn't showing. Hays Dems has a good “Voter Guide” on our home page that allows you to print out a list of the folks for whom you want to vote.

Q. I want to vote, but I'm sick, and contagious. Am I out of luck?

A. NO, you can drive to the polling location, pull up to the "drive in" location. There's a bell there you ring, and they'll bring a voting slate out for you to vote. It's a good idea to wear a mask when you're doing that, and to sanitize your hands before taking the slate, to keep everyone else safe.

Q. I want to vote, but I've got a condition that doesn't allow me to stand in line. What do I do if I get there and there's a long line?

A. Pull up to the "drive in" location at the polling location. There's a bell there you ring, and they'll bring a voting slate out for you to vote.

 

Q. My (relative/close friend) wants to vote, but she has a hard time reading the ballot, and can't always remember how the machines work. Is there a way I can help her?

A. Go with your relative/close friend. That person should tell the election clerk he/she wants you to assist them. You'll be asked to sign a paper that you're not influencing them. Then you'll go into the booth with them, and you can read out the candidates’ names, and remind your friend how to turn the wheel. You cannot tell them how to vote. Be sure to remind them to push "VOTE" at the end. You can help them feed their paper into the printer, but they should take if, if able, to the scanner themselves. If they're 65 or older, or meet one of the other qualifications for voting by mail, for the next election, they might consider getting a ballot by mail, so that they can take their time with the ballot at home, and have someone read it to them, if needed.

 

Q. How do I get a ballot by mail?

A. There's an application- you have to mark why you're applying (there are several qualifications- 65 or older, going to be out the county the entire voting time, expected to give birth 3 weeks before or after the election, disabled, or in jail. We recommend applying shortly after Jan. 1 of each year, and marking “Annual Application.” In even numbered years, be sure to mark your political Party, so you get that Party’s Primary Election ballots.
Note that there are deadlines for applying for the vote by mail ballot, usually about 10 days before. (We recommend you apply much earlier, to allow for plenty of time for the application to get to San Marcos, processed, the ballot to be mailed back to you, and then for you to mail the ballot back to San Marcos in time. Note that Texas requires we apply every year, starting Jan. 1.

 

Q. I mailed in my ballot. How do I know if they received it?

A. The Hays Elections site has ballot trackers- different ones for Democrats and Republicans. Click HERE and scroll down to “Absentee Ballots Received” (and pick which Party.) They’re in alphabetical order. If it’s been more than 5 working days, and you’re not seeing yours, contact the office and let them know you’re concerned. If, worst case, it doesn’t make it, you can vote on Election Day on a Provisional Ballot, and then if the mail in ballot doesn’t come in, they’ll count your Provisional Ballot. If it does come in, your ballot by mail will be counted, and the provisional one will be voided.

 

Q. What are my rights as a voter?

A. You can read your rights HERE.