BEAUMONT, Texas — Texans will begin heading to the polls for early voting on Tuesday, and political experts say we could see a record number of voters casting their vote before Election Day.
Texas offers in-person early voting from October 13-30. It was extended an additional week this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
You can vote at any early voting location in your county. Each county has adjusted hours, and 12News has a breakdown of times and locations below.
Here are some of the top questions about voting early in Texas!
Who can vote early?
Any registered voter can vote early in-person. You must be registered to vote in the November 3rd election to qualify.
How do I know if I'm registered?
To find out if you are registered to vote, CLICK HERE. The registration deadline was for the November 3rd election was October 5.
Where can I vote early?
Every county has established locations and times for you to cast your ballot early. Counties have established standard voting hours as well as extended and weekend hours.
You can click your county below to find out specifics where you live:
Is voting early different than voting by mail?
While every registered voter is allowed to vote early in-person for any reason, there are specific qualifications for voters wanting to cast ballots by mail.
In Texas, you may request a ballot by mail if you will be away from your county on Election Day, sick or disabled, 65 years or older or confined in jail but still eligible to vote.
Coronavirus is not a valid reason to be approved for a ballot by mail in Texas, according to the Texas Secretary of State's office.
The deadline to request your ballot for voting by mail is October 23.
RELATED: Here’s how to vote by mail in Texas
What do I need to bring with me to vote early?
You will be required to present one of seven acceptable forms of identification:
- Texas driver license issued by Texas DPS
- Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas handgun license issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person's photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph
- United States passport
According to the Secretary of State's office: "If a voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification and cannot reasonably obtain one, the voter may present a supporting form of identification and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter’s reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the declaration is true, that the voter is the same individual personally appearing at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification."
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION WITH THE 12NEWS ELECTION GUIDE. YOU CAN TEXT "VOTE" TO 409-838-1212 TO HAVE IT SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE.
What's on the ballot?
While President of the United States headlines the ballot, Texans will also be casting votes for U.S. Senate, several house races as well as deciding the balance of power in Austin.
Click on your county to find out what is on the ballot for November 3rd.
