Voting

Voting During COVID-19 Outbreak

Election Advisories

Election Advisory No. 2020-14
This advisory from the Texas Secretary of State's Office provides guidance to election officials in how to facilitate voting for individuals that may be affected by COVID-19 and also in conducting elections during the outbreak.

Early Voting

Governor Abbott Extends Early Voting Period For November 3rd Election (7/27/2020)
This press release states that early voting for the November election "will begin on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and continue through Friday, October 30, 2020. The proclamation also expands the period in which marked mail-in ballots may be delivered in person to the early voting clerk’s office, allowing such delivery prior to as well as on Election Day."

Vote by Mail & Curbside Voting

Texas law allows certain voters to vote by mail or do "curbside" voting at the polling place. As Texans weigh the risks of gathering at polling places during the COVID-19 outbreak, more people may attempt to utilize those options.

There is ongoing litigation that may determine whether those who are not currently sick with COVID-19 may vote by mail due to the threat of contracting COVID-19 at the polling place.

Section 104.004 of the Texas Election Code
This statute states that a voter may request curbside voting if "the voter is physically unable to enter the early voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of injuring the voter's health".
Texas Election Code, Chapter 82
This chapter sets out who may vote early including who may vote by mail. This includes: voters who will be absent from their county of residence on election day, voters with sicknesses or disabilities that prevent them from appearing at the polling place, voters 65 years of age or older, voters confined in jail, and voters participating in the address confidentiality program.
Voting & the Coronavirus (Texas League of Women Voters)
This page provides information related to voting during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Vote By Mail News

Texas Voters Will Decide for Themselves if They Need Mail-In Ballots for July Runoffs (6/9/2020)
This news article describes the results of a legal battle in the Texas court system related to voting my mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Blocks Voting-By-Mail Expansion in Texas (5/20/20)
This article describes the latest news in the ongoing court battle in the federal court system related to voting by mail during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Texas Democrats Again Sue to Ease Vote-By-Mail Rules During Coronavirus Pandemic (4/7/2020)
This news article describes ongoing lawsuits that are seeking an interpretation of whether all voters are eligible to vote by mail due to the threat of contracting COVID-19 at the polling place.
Vote By Mail Is Limited In Texas, But It Could Help Vulnerable People As Coronavirus Spreads (3/13/2020)
This news article provides information on voting by mail in Texas

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