What to Expect on Election Day in Texas
John B. Scott, Texas Secretary of State
AUSTIN (News Release) - Ahead of Election Day in Texas and across the nation tomorrow, Texas Secretary of State John Scott is reminding voters, observers and members of the media on how votes are counted and reported once polls close at 7:00 p.m. local time on Election Night. In Texas, results from Early Voting are submitted by Texas counties and reported first, shortly after polls close on Election Night. Results from ballots cast on or by Election Day are then reported gradually throughout the evening until 100% of precincts and polling places in all 254 Texas counties have reported.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEXAS SOS ELECTION NIGHT RETURNS PORTAL.
"Remember that every election in Texas is conducted at the county level in all 254 Texas counties, with hard-working Elections Administrators, County Clerks and thousands of dedicated poll workers all working collaboratively to safeguard the integrity of the vote count," Secretary Scott said.
"Be patient as county election officials work to report the results accurately over several hours throughout Election Night."
Election Day Voting Locations
If a county participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program (CWPP) – commonly referred to as ‘Vote Centers’ – voters can cast a ballot at any location in their county of residence on Election Day.
If a county does not have Countywide Polling on Election Day, voters must cast their ballot at a location in their specific voter registration precinct, which is based on the residence address on the voter's registration record. In some cases, precincts may be combined to accommodate joint local elections.
Election Day voting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at all polling places statewide.
What To Expect At The Polling Place
Voter ID Requirements
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. The acceptable forms of photo ID are:
Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (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 (book or card)
Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one:
copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
copy of or original current utility bill;
copy of or original bank statement;
copy of or original government check;
copy of or original paycheck; or
copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Activities inside the Polling Place
Electioneering Inside the 100 Foot Marker
When you go to your polling place, you will likely notice a cone or other distance marker placed 100 feet from the entrance of the building. Inside that 100 foot mark, you are not allowed to electioneer for or against a candidate or measure on the current ballot, and cannot post, use or distribute any political signs or literature relating to a candidate, political party or measure appearing on the current ballot. The Texas Election Code also prohibits operating a sound amplification device for purposes of electioneering for or against a candidate, measure or political party within 1,000 feet of a building where a polling place is located.
Cell Phones and Other Devices
Under Texas law, persons are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of the voting stations. Additionally, persons are not allowed to use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within 100 feet of the voting stations.
Devices that should not be used in the polling place include:
Cell phones
Cameras
Tablet computers
Laptop computers
Sound recorders
Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or can be used to record sound or images.
PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE 100 FEET AWAY FROM THE VOTING STATIONS AT YOUR POLLING PLACE BEFORE TAKING AN "I VOTED" SELFIE.
What Can’t Voters Wear to the Polls?
In Texas, a person may not wear apparel or anything else related to a candidate, measure, or political party appearing on the ballot in the current election, but a person may wear apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party that does NOT appear on the ballot in the current election.
In other words, if you are wearing a hat, t-shirt, or button relating to a candidate, measure or political party that does not appear on the ballot in the current election, you are not violating Texas law.
However, if you are wearing apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party on the ballot, a presiding judge has the ability to enforce the law within the 100 foot marker outside of the polling place entrance. You may be asked to remove or cover up your apparel before entering the building.
To learn more about voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov
