Want to vote in the November election in Tarrant Co.? Here’s what you need to know, do
Participation in the November election requires people to stay informed about the process. These are important dates, how-tos and basic details about election contests to start your election journey in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Important dates
Oct. 11 - Last day to register to vote.
Oct. 24 - First day of in-person early voting.
Oct. 28 - Last day to apply to “Ballot by Mail” (Your application must be received by this date).
Nov. 4 - Last day of in-person early voting.
Nov. 8 - Election Day, polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.; mail-in ballots must be received by this date if they are not postmarked.
Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. - Mail-in ballots may be counted if postmarked by Election Day and received by the election administration on this day.
Nov. 14 - Ballots mailed from U.S. citizens outside the United States may be counted if clearly postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the elections administration on this date.
Register to vote
To register to vote for the first time, complete a voter registration application and return it to the Tarrant County Elections Administration office before Oct. 11.
The application must be turned in by mail or in person. An online application that you can fill out and print is available on the Tarrant County Elections website or the Texas Secretary of State website.
Paper applications are available at the Tarrant County Elections Center, all Tarrant County sub-courthouses, U.S. post offices, city halls, libraries and public assistance offices in Tarrant County.
The Tarrant County Elections Administration office is at 2700 Premier St. in Fort Worth.
Check your voter registration
If you’re already registered to vote, it’s important to confirm your voter registration status to ensure you remain eligible or that you haven’t been incorrectly purged from registration.
Check your registration status by visiting the Texas Secretary of State’s ‘Am I Registered?’ portal, which allows you to look up your voter registration record in the statewide database.
Update voter registration information online
If you’ve recently moved or changed your name, you can update all your information on your voter registration record through the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
How to apply to vote by mail
Registered voters are eligible to request and receive a ballot by mail if any of the following conditions prevent them from voting in person during the early voting period or on Election Day:
65 years of age or older.
Disabled.
Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
Expected absence from the county during both the early voting period and on Election Day.
Confined in jail or involuntary commitment (not finally convicted of a felony).
The Tarrant County Elections office must receive the application, which is available on its website, by Oct. 28.
What to bring when voting
Texas voters must present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID at the polls when voting in person:
Texas driver license.
Texas election identification certificate.
Texas personal identification card.
Texas handgun license.
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).
If people do not have an acceptable form of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, they may still cast a regular ballot by presenting a supporting form of ID and executing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
Here is a list of supporting forms of ID:
Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and 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.
Copy of or original of a certified U.S. birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law that establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Language assistance in Spanish and Vietnamese
Tarrant County is required to provide language assistance to Spanish and Vietnamese speakers. Election information on the county’s website can be seen in those languages, and applications are provided in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
At least one bilingual election official who is fluent in both English and Spanish and one who is fluent in both English and Vietnamese is required at Tarrant County polling places at all times.
Voters who have a disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act’s provisions apply to all aspects of voting.
Voters with a disability may qualify to vote by mail, as well as apply with the registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting a photo ID.
Tarrant County provides a voting system at all locations to serve voters who are blind, have limited vision, or limited dexterity that prevents them from marking the ballot without assistance during Early Voting and Election Day.
All polling places in Texas are required to be accessible, and voters with mobility problems are allowed to move ahead of others in line by asking their voting clerk.
Curbside voting is also available during early voting and Election Day for any voter who has difficulty walking or standing for long periods. An election official can be called by the number listed on the curbside voting sign, which should be located near handicap parking spaces.
Races that may be on your ballot in Tarrant County
For a more personalized sample ballot, visit the Tarrant County website after you’re registered.
Statewide races (You should see all of these races on your ballot):
U.S. House races (One of these may be on your ballot depending on where you live):
Texas Senate races (One of these may be on your ballot depending on where you live):
Texas House (One of these may be on your ballot depending on where you live):
Tarrant County races (some races are county-wide, while others are based on where you live):
State Board of Education (One of these will be on your ballot depending on where you live):
School board
