Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30, according to CBS Texas. Any registered, eligible Texas voter may cast a ballot early in person without giving a special reason. The deadline to register to vote has already passed; it fell on Monday, Oct. 5. Voters who are unsure of their status can check the Texas Secretary of State's “Am I Registered?” tool at votetexas.gov.
Hours vary by county, but state law sets minimums for main early voting sites. From Oct. 19 through Oct. 23, polling places must be open at least nine hours each weekday. On Saturday, Oct. 24, they must be open at least 12 consecutive hours, and on Sunday, Oct. 25, at least six consecutive hours. During the final week, Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, sites must be open at least 12 consecutive hours each weekday. Election Day itself is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The ballot is a long one. According to CBS Texas, voters will see the U.S. Senate race and the races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner. U.S. House and state legislative seats are also up, along with the State Board of Education and judicial offices. County and local contests vary by address, so voters are encouraged to look at a sample ballot before they go.
Photo ID is required to vote in person, whether early or on Election Day. CBS Texas lists seven accepted forms: a Texas driver license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate, a Texas Personal Identification Card, or a Texas Handgun License (all issued by the Department of Public Safety), plus a U.S. military ID with photo, a U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or a U.S. passport. For voters ages 18 to 69, the 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 how long ago it expired, and citizenship certificates do not expire.
Voters who cannot reasonably obtain one of those IDs still have an option. They may present a supporting document, such as a current utility bill, a bank statement or a voter registration certificate, and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls.
Where a voter can cast a ballot depends on the county. Registered voters may use any designated early voting site in the county where they are registered. On Election Day, voters in countywide polling place counties may likewise use any designated site, while voters in other counties must go to their assigned precinct. The state's “Find Your Polling Place” lookup, which searches by name, county, date of birth and ZIP code, was scheduled to list early voting locations beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, and county election offices in places such as Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton publish their own site lists.
Why it matters to Texas readers. Scripture calls believers to be good stewards of what they have been given, and for citizens of a republic that includes the vote. Whatever a reader's convictions, the practical advice is the same: check your registration status, look at a sample ballot, confirm which location you can use, and put your ID in your pocket before you leave the house. Early voting also means shorter lines on November 3 for neighbors who can only make it on Election Day.