Deadline to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 6

Texans planning to cast a ballot in the Nov. 4 election must be registered by Oct. 6. That deadline applies both to new registrations and to residents who need to update their address or personal details.

Texas requires a paper registration form for new voters. The form must be signed and returned by mail or delivered to the county voter registrar. Texans who already have a driver’s license or state-issued ID can update or renew their registration online through the Department of Public Safety website.

To be eligible, a voter must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county where they register, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. People who have finished serving felony sentences, including probation and parole, may be eligible to vote again.

Registered voters may vote at any polling place in their county during early voting. On Election Day, counties that use the countywide polling program such as Travis, Williamson, Hays, Harris, and Dallas will allow voters to choose any polling site in their home county.

Texans will consider 17 proposed constitutional amendments this year. Topics include lowering property taxes, funding water projects, and establishing a dementia research institute. In some regions, voters will also weigh in on special elections, city and school district matters, and congressional races.

Voters are allowed to bring personal notes, sample ballots, or other written materials for their own use while voting. Campaigning or handing out political material is not allowed within 100 feet of a polling location.