Politics
North Texas early-voting hours and locations will vary by county
Texas voters can cast ballots in the Nov. 3 midterm election from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, but early-voting schedules and sites differ by county. Main polling places must meet state minimum-hour requirements, and voters can use any designated early-voting location in their county of registration.
Early voting for Texas’ Nov. 3 midterm election begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Voters may cast a ballot in person during that period without giving a reason, but polling hours and locations will depend on the county.
The minimum hours required at main early-voting polling places are nine hours each weekday from Oct. 19 through Oct. 23; 12 consecutive hours Saturday, Oct. 24; and six consecutive hours Sunday, Oct. 25. From Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, main locations must be open at least 12 consecutive hours each weekday. These are minimums, not a single statewide schedule. Voters should check their county election office for exact hours and sites.
Registered voters can vote at any designated early-voting location in the county where they are registered. The Texas Secretary of State’s polling-place lookup is expected to list early-voting locations beginning Saturday, Oct. 17. Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties also provide polling information through their election offices.
The Nov. 3 ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner, as well as congressional, state legislative, judicial and other offices. County and local contests vary by voter location.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some counties allow voters to cast a ballot at any designated countywide polling location on Election Day; elsewhere, voters must use their assigned precinct polling place.
The registration deadline for this election was Oct. 5. Voters can check their registration status through the state’s voter lookup service.
Texas generally requires voters to show one of seven forms of photo identification: a state driver license, election identification certificate, personal identification card or handgun license; a U.S. military ID with a photograph; a U.S. citizenship certificate with a photograph; or a U.S. passport. For voters ages 18 to 69, an ID must be current or have expired no more than four years ago. Voters 70 and older may use an otherwise valid ID regardless of when it expired; citizenship certificates do not expire.
People who cannot reasonably obtain an accepted photo ID may present an approved supporting document, such as a utility bill, bank statement or voter registration certificate, and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls.