It’s Election Day, and early voting in Bexar County — which ended Friday — saw more than 380,000 people show up at the polls. Texans will be deciding who they want to represent them in multiple statewide races, including contests for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and U.S. senator.
The Rivard Report has compiled a voter’s guide with information on voter identification rules, polling locations, and absentee voting.
How can I determine if I’m registered to vote?
You can check your voter registration status here. All you need is a few things: Voter ID number or Texas Driver’s License number, your name, county of residence, and date of birth.
When is Election Day?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
You need to provide one of the following seven forms of identification:
- 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 Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing your photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
If you don’t have one of the seven forms of identification listed above and can’t reasonably get one, you can also bring one of these:
- A copy or original of a government document that shows your name and an address, including your voter registration certificate;
- A copy of or original current utility bill;
- A copy of or original bank statement;
- A copy of or original government check;
- A copy of or original paycheck; or
- A copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes your identity, which may include a foreign birth document.
If your chosen form of identification — such as your driver’s license or passport — doesn’t have the same address as your voter card, bring a utility bill with you to the polls as proof of address. You can also cast a provisional ballot.
Where can I vote?
On Election Day, you must vote in your precinct. If you live in Bexar County, find your precinct here.
What about absentee ballots?
You can vote by mail if you are:
- Going to be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting
- Sick or disabled
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day
- Confined in jail, but eligible to vote
And for your vote to count, it must received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 and be postmarked by Nov. 6.
What’s on the ballot?
In additional to Congressional races, including one for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Ted Cruz, most statewide races are being decided: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, railroad commissioner, and statewide judicial positions.
The election also features races for State Senate and House of Representative seats, county judicial seats, district and county clerk, Bexar County judge, and Bexar County criminal district attorney.
For San Antonio residents, the local firefighters union’s three proposed charter amendments also will be on the ballot.
The Secretary of State has a complete list of candidates, sorted by county. Find Bexar County candidates with this webpage and select “Bexar” from the drop-down menu.
The Rivard Report has been following multiple races, and you can find more information on what’s going to be on your ballot here. For a generic sample ballot, click here.
The League of Women Voters’ www.vote411.org provides information on polling places and candidates. You can enter your address to see the candidates on your local ballot and review their responses to a LWV questionnaire.
You can also check out www.yourvoteSA.com, a website from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce with information about candidates running in key races, voting FAQs, and resources.
Have more questions?
Check out VoteTexas.gov. Or ask us, and we’ll find an answer for you.
