It’s Election Time, What You Need to Know – NBC 7 Houston

HOUSTON – It’s time for the midterm elections and the stakes are high not only in the greater Houston area, but throughout the state of Texas.

Starting on the 24th of this month, citizens registered to vote will be able to do so in advance for a period of two weeks, until November 4.

On Election Day, November 8, the polls will be open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

If you meet certain requirements and your wish is to vote by mail, you have until October 28 to request it. The ballot must be returned and postmarked before November 8 at 7 pm The same applies if you wish to deposit it in person at a polling station.

WHO CAN VOTE BY MAIL?

If your intention is to vote by mail, you must meet the following requirements:

Being over 65 years old
Being sick or having been diagnosed with a disability
Not being present in the County where you live during the early voting period or on Election Day
Be pregnant and due to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
Being detained without being sentenced.

If you have further concerns about the voting by mail process you can click here.

Once you send your vote by mail you can track and check the status of your vote on the page of the Texas Secretary of State.

IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO VOTE

Under Texas law, a registered voter is required to present one of seven state-accepted forms of identification. These are:

Driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Electoral Identity Certificate
Personal identification card issued by DPS
License to carry a firearm
United States Military ID Card
United States citizenship certificate with photo
United States passport

Individuals unable to present either of these forms of identification will need to complete an affidavit at the polling station and present an alternative document such as a bank statement, utility bill and other.

It should be noted that voting without the right to vote can be a felony in Texas.

With 30 days to go before the midterm elections, millions will determine the fate of the state.