Voting can be complicated, and the pandemic has only heightened the challenge. People often find themselves unsure of where to go, what to bring and what's on the ballot. Don't fear — we've put together this guide with what you need to know to vote in North Texas.
Key Dates
Nov. 3: Election Day. If you didn't vote early, now is your chance. Make sure to show up at your local precinct, unless your county is participating in countywide voting. Again, you can find this out by checking your county's website.
What To Bring To The Polls
VoteTexas.gov has everything you need to know about what to bring to vote in person. One of seven forms of ID will get you into a voting booth:
- Texas driver's license
- Texas election identification certificate (EIC) issued by the Department of Public Safety
- Texas personal ID card issued by DPS
- Texas handgun license issued by DPS
- U.S. military ID card containing your photograph
- U.S. citizenship certificate containing your photograph
- U.S. passport, book or card
» What if your ID is expired?
That's OK, to a degree.
- For voters age 18-69: Except for the U.S. citizenship certificate, which doesn't expire, the ID you bring to the polls must have expired no more than four years before.
- For voters 70 and older: You can use one of the seven forms of ID to vote, regardless of how long it's been expired, as long as it's otherwise valid.
» What if you don't have one of the seven acceptable forms of voter ID?
The state lists other forms of identification, like a utility bill or birth certificate, that you can use to vote if you don't "possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one."
In addition to presenting that secondary form of ID, you'll also need to fill out a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" form.
» What if you're a voter with special needs?
A person of your choice or an election worker can assist you at the polls — but the person cannot be your employer or someone who represents your employer, or an officer or representative of your union.
If you're physically unable to enter the polling location, you can vote curbside. Send someone into the polling location to request an election worker meet you at the curb. If you're planning on arriving alone, call ahead to your county's elections office.
Where To Vote And When
Election Day: Polling locations can be found here. One thing we do know: The American Airlines Center will be used as a voting supercenter, both for early voting and on Election Day. On Nov. 3, Dallas Countians can votes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any polling place. You do not have to vote in your specific precinct.
DART will offer free rides to the polls on Election Day to anyone carrying a valid voter registration card.
Election Day: Tarrant County residents can also vote at any polling place in the county. Use the interactive map or check out this list to find an Election Day voting location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Election Day: Collin County voters have been able to cast ballots at any polling place in the county since 2013. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find a list of Election Day voting locations here.
Election Day: Denton County residents must vote at their assigned precinct polling location on Election Day. Type in your address here to find your polling location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Election Day: Rockwall County voters can vote only at their assigned precinct polling location on Election Day. Type in your address here to find your polling location, or check this list of Election Day voting locations. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
» MORE NORTH TEXAS COUNTIES
Get voting information at the following county websites:
What's On The Ballot
Four candidates are on the presidential ballot in Texas:
- Donald J. Trump, Republican
- Joseph R. Biden, Democrat
- Jo Jorgensen, Libertarian
- Howie Hawkins, Green
District-level races
At the federal level, Texans are divided among 36 congressional districts. At the state level, Texans are divided into 150 House districts, 31 Senate districts and 15 State Board of Education districts. Your address determines your district — and who represents you. All congressional and Texas House districts are up for election this year, along with one U.S. Senate seat, several Texas Senate seats and eight State Board of Education seats.
Local elections
Each of Texas’ 254 counties administers its own elections on races that range from county commissioner seats to district attorneys. Information about what’s on the ballot in specific counties can be found on the list of county websites maintained by the Texas secretary of state’s office. You can also get a personalized ballot at our statewide public radio website, TexasDecides.org.
Statewide races
This year's general election also included 10 statewide positions, including the race to determine who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate alongside Ted Cruz.
Texas U.S. Senate candidates:
- John Cornyn, Republican (Incumbent)
- Mary "MJ" Hegar, Democrat
- Kerry McKennon, Libertarian
- David Collins, Green
The remaining races are for railroad commissioner and eight seats on the state’s two highest courts — the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Texas Railroad Commissioner:
- Chrysta Castaneda, Democrat
- James Wright, Republican
- Katija Gruene, Green Party
- Matt Sterett, Libertarian
Texas Supreme Court:
Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice:
- Nathan Hecht, Republican
- Amy Clark Meachum, Democrat
- Mark Ash, Libertarian
Texas Supreme Court Place 6
- Jane Bland, Republican
- Kathy Cheng, Democrat
Texas Supreme Court Place 7
- Jeffrey S. Boyd, Republican
- Staci Williams, Democrat
- William Bryan Strange, Libertarian
Texas Supreme Court Place 8
- Brett Busby, Republican
- Gisela Triana, Democrat
- Tom Oxford, Libertarian
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals:
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3
- Bert Richardson, Republican
- Elizabeth Davis Frizell, Democrat
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4
- Kevin Patrick Yeary, Republican
- Tina Yoo Clinton, Democrat
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9
- David Newell, Republican
- Brandon Birmingham, Democrat
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the start of early voting in Texas. Early voting begins Oct. 13.
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