Know Your Rights: Voting in Texas as a Veteran or Active-Duty Service Member

YOUR VOTING RIGHTS

AS A VETERAN OR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE READY TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 5TH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Register to Vote BY October 7, 2024

You must be registered by October 7, 2024, to vote in the Presidential election.

  • Eligibility Requirements:

    • You’re a U.S. citizen.

    • You’ll be 18 years old by November 5, 2024.

    • You have not been judged by a probate court to be mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

    • If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you must have completed all terms of punishment or been pardoned.

Already registered? You can update your address on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
You may check your voter registration status here.

Voting Absentee in Texas

If you will be out of town for all of early voting and Election Day, you can vote by mail. To request your ballot, visit the Texas Ballot by Mail page.

  • Steps to Vote Absentee:

    1. Request a mail-in ballot.

    2. Fill out the ballot following all instructions.

    3. Mail it back by the deadline!

Active-Duty Service Members: Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

If you're stationed outside of Texas or deployed, you can vote using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This program ensures your vote is counted, no matter where you're serving.

Assistance for Disabled Veterans

If you are a disabled veteran, Texas law ensures that your right to vote is protected, and you have options to make voting more accessible and convenient.

Accessible Voting Options

Curbside Voting: If you are unable to enter the polling place, you can request curbside voting. A poll worker will bring a ballot to your car so you can vote without leaving your vehicle.

Accessible Voting Machines: Every polling location in Texas has at least one voting machine accessible for voters with disabilities. These machines have features like audio ballots for the visually impaired and other assistive technologies.

Requesting ASSISTANCE

If you need help marking your ballot, you have the right to bring someone to assist you, such as:

  • A friend or family member

  • An election official (at your request)

The person assisting you cannot be your employer or an officer of your union. You also have the right to request assistance from a poll worker.

Voting by Mail

If it’s difficult for you to access the polling place due to a disability, you can apply to vote by mail. Be sure to select the reason for disability when filling out the mail-in ballot request form.

Mail-In Voting for People/Veterans with a Disability

If you are a disabled veteran over 65 or have a permanent disability, you can apply for an Absentee Ballot. Learn more about absentee voting and apply here.

Accessible Voting Resources

  • For additional help or to report accessibility issues, you can contact the Texas Disability Rights Voting Hotline at 1-888-796-VOTE (8683).

  • For more information on accessible voting options, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights website.

What are the Important Dates I need to be aware of?

Voter Registration Deadline:

Oct. 7, 2024

Early Voting:

OCT. 21—NOV. 1

ELECTION DAY:

Nov. 5, 2024

If voting by mail, ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day and received by the local election office by the specified deadline. YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION AT votetexas.gov.

FAQ

These FAQs are designed to help you navigate the voting process as a military service member or veteran. For more detailed information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) or the Texas Secretary of State’s Voter Information pages.

  • If you are stationed outside of Texas or deployed, you can still vote using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This program allows active-duty service members to request an absentee ballot, ensuring your vote counts, no matter where you're serving. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for more information.

  • If you've already registered to vote but need to update your address, you can do this online. Simply visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website to update your voter registration details. Make sure to update your address before the registration deadline on October 7, 2024.

  • Yes! If you will be out of town for all of early voting and Election Day, you can request a mail-in ballot. For military personnel stationed overseas, the FPCA is recommended. To request a regular mail-in ballot, visit the Texas Ballot by Mail page. Follow the instructions carefully, and be sure to return your completed ballot by the deadline.

  • If you're a disabled veteran or a voter with a disability, you have several accessible voting options in Texas:

    • Curbside Voting: You can request a poll worker to bring your ballot to your car.

    • Accessible Voting Machines: All Texas polling places are equipped with machines that have features like audio ballots and other assistive technologies.

    • Mail-in Voting: If it’s difficult for you to access the polling place, you can apply to vote by mail due to disability. You can also apply for Permanent Absentee Status if you’re over 65 or have a permanent disability, ensuring you receive a ballot by mail for every election.

  • If you need help marking your ballot, you are allowed to bring someone to assist you, such as a friend, family member, or even an election official. However, the person assisting you cannot be your employer or a union officer. Additionally, poll workers are available to help if needed.

What should I do if I need help or encounter issues on Election Day?

For any issues or questions while voting, you can call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). They offer assistance and support to ensure your voting rights are protected.