FAQ

According to the Texas Secretary of State, to vote in the upcoming election submit your application at least 30 days before the election date. You are eligible to vote if you are:   

• A United States citizen;
• A resident of the Texas county in which application for registration is made;
• At least 17 years and 10 months of age on the date you apply;
• At least 18 years old on Election Day;
• Not finally convicted of a felony, or, if so convicted must have (1) fully discharged the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or (2) been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote;
• And not determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be (1) totally mentally incapacitated; or (2) partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. 

• A ballot with written instructions on how to cast a ballot.
• Ask the polling place official for instructions on how to cast a ballot (but not suggestions on how to vote).
• Cast your vote in secret and free from intimidation.
• Receive up to two more ballots if you make a mistake while marking the ballot.
• Bring an interpreter to assist you as you qualify to vote if you do not understand the English language.h
• Help to cast your ballot if you cannot write, see the ballot, or understand the language in which it is written.
• Report a possible voting rights abuse to the Secretary of State (1.800.252.8683) or to your local election official.
• Cast a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the list of registered voters.
• (1) Cast a provisional ballot (a) if you do not possess one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo identification, which is not expired for more than four years, and you can reasonably obtain one of these forms of identification or (b) if you possess, but did not bring to the polling place, one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification, which is not expired for more than four years, or (c) if you do not possess one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification, which is not expired for more than four years, you could otherwise not obtain one due to a reasonable impediment, but you did not bring a supporting form of identification to the polling place, and (2) the right to present one of the acceptable forms of photo identification, which is not expired for more than four years, to the county voter registrar’s office within six (6) calendar days after election day.
• Vote once at any early voting location during the early voting period within the territory conducting the election.
• File an administrative complaint with the Secretary of State concerning violations of federal and state voting procedures.

Check with the Grimes County Elections Office:

http://www.co.grimes.tx.us/page/Elections

To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:

• 65 years of age or older;
• be disabled;
• be out of the country on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
• be confined to jail, but otherwise eligible.

Instructions for submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”) - go to: http://www.co.grimes.tx.us/page/Elections

You must present one of the following forms of photo ID when voting in person:* 

• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

 • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

 • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

 • Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS 

• United States military identification card containing your photograph • United States citizenship certificate containing your photograph 

• United States passport 

Do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of these IDs? Fill out a declaration at the polls explaining why and bring one of the following supporting documents: Valid voter registration certificate; Certified birth certificate (must be an original); 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 government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph) 

*With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 4 years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. Exemptions: Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to showing ID at the polls. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed or voters who do not have a ID due to certain natural disasters may apply for a temporary exemption to showing ID at the polls. Please contact your voter registrar for more details. 

During the primary election, you have the choice to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary. The choice in primary that you make will determine the party primary in which you’ll vote in case of a run-off. If you vote in the Republican party primary, you are eligible to vote only in the Republican party run-off. If you vote in the Democratic party primary, you are eligible to vote only in the Democratic party run-off. If you did not vote during the primary elections, you are eligible to choose either the Republican or Democratic party runoff in which to vote.