In the state of Texas, “mail-in ballots” refer to absentee ballots, which are ballots that a registered voter requests through the state government when they can’t physically be present at a voting center on Election Day.

All mail-in ballot applications must be received by the end of business on February 20. The exact time of day varies by county.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked before 7 p.m. on March 3 (Election Day) and received by 5 p.m.on March 4.

You can vote by mail if you are: 

• 65 years or older

• Sick or disabled

• Out of the county during early voting and Election Day

• Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

• In jail but otherwise eligible to vote

You must apply to vote by mail. The first step is to get an application:

• Print this application in English or Spanish

• Go to VoteTexas.gov

• Call your County Election Office to request an application

When filling out the application you will need to provide:

• Your phone number and/or your email address in case there’s an issue with your application

• Your identification (ID) numbers

  • Your TX Driver’s License or TX Personal ID number AND

  • The last four digits of your social security number (SSN)

• The mailing address to where your ballot will be sent

• The reason for voting by mail 

• The election for which you are requesting a ballot

• Sign and date the form (Section 5)

  • If you were unable to sign the application and someone witnesses your signature, that person must complete Section 6.

  • If someone helped you complete the application or mailed the application for you, that person must complete Section 6.

If you printed the application you must place it in your own envelope and add postage. 

If you ordered the application online and it was mailed to you: fold the application in half, moisten the top tab, seal, and add postage. 

Address and mail the completed application for ballot by mail to the Early Voting Clerk in your county.

In a primary election year, mark on your mail-in ballot applicationwhich party primary and runoff election you want to vote in.

Yes, you have to apply for a vote by mail ballot for every election, every year. 

If you are 65 years or older, or disabled, you can check “Annual Application” to receive ballots for all elections for that calendar year.

• In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed SB 1, which changed rules regarding voting. Those 65 and older no longer automatically get a ballot for every election, year after year after first applying.

The Texas Secretary of State has a Ballot by Mail Tracker available on their website. 

• If your mail-in ballot is rejected, you have up to six days after the election to fix the problem. 

• If there is an error in your mail-in application or ballot, your county election office is required to notify you and instruct you how to fix it by mail, in person, or via the online tracker. 

Mail-in ballots are mailed out 30-45 days before an election, or 7 days after the county election office receives an application.

1. When your ballot arrives: 

• Mark your ballots with a black or blue pen

• Fill out the ovals completely– do not mark with X’s, checks, or circles. 

• Put your ballot in the ballot envelope and seal it. Only place one ballot in each ballot envelope. 

2. Place the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope, then fill out the carrier envelope with: 

• Your identification (ID) numbers

  • Your TX Driver’s License or TX Personal ID number AND

  • The last four digits of your social security number (SSN)

• Your phone number and/or your email address in case there’s an issue with your application

• Seal the carrier envelope in both places, then sign over the flap. 

  • If someone helped you complete the ballot, they must fill out the required information in the space provided on the carrier envelope. 

  • If you’re unable to sign, your witness must fill out the required information in the space provided on the carrier envelope. 

3. Return your ballot as soon as you can. 

• Your ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

• You can return your ballot by:

  • Mail via the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or DHL. 

  • Hand deliver your ballot in person to your main County Election Office on Election Day while the polls are open. You must show a photo ID. 

• Mail-in ballots cannot be dropped off in person during the two weeks of early voting or any other time prior to Election Day.