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How to get a ballot by mail for an election

Learn how to get a mail-in mail-in ballot.

How to get a ballot by mail for an election

PRINT YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT BY COUNTY

PRINT YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT BY COUNTY

As South Asian voters gear up for the March 2024 primary elections, it's pivotal to prioritize selecting candidates and parties whose values align with issues crucial to South Asian Texans. When heading to the polls, consider backing candidates who advocate for fully funded public schools, accessible healthcare, women's rights, and gun safety. Your vote can shape the future of Texas and ensure that our community's concerns are heard and addressed effectively. Let's empower South Asian voices and vote for candidates who stand for our values.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS: TIPS FOR SOUTH ASIAN VOTERS

PRIMARY ELECTIONS: TIPS FOR SOUTH ASIAN VOTERS

As South Asian voters gear up for the March 2024 primary elections, it's pivotal to prioritize selecting candidates and parties whose values align with issues crucial to South Asian Texans. When heading to the polls, consider backing candidates who advocate for fully funded public schools, accessible healthcare, women's rights, and gun safety. Your vote can shape the future of Texas and ensure that our community's concerns are heard and addressed effectively. Let's empower South Asian voices and vote for candidates who stand for our values.

Municipal Election in your area

Arlington, Texas - Mayor and city council


As we enter the new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions and ways that we can make a difference in the world. One way to do this is by volunteering with SAAVETX, an organization that serves the South Asian community in Texas.

By volunteering with SAAVETX, you can help to engage more South Asians in the political process and promote greater civic participation in the community. SAAVETX works to educate and empower members of the community about their rights and responsibilities as voters, and provides resources and support to help ensure that their voices are heard.

There are many ways to get involved with SAAVETX as a volunteer, depending on your interests and availability. Some options might include helping with voter registration efforts, assisting with community outreach and education, or providing administrative support.

Not only will volunteering with SAAVETX allow you to make a positive impact in the lives of others, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and be a part of a meaningful and important cause.

So, if you are looking for a new year's resolution that will make a difference in your community, consider volunteering with SAAVETX. You'll be helping to create a more inclusive and representative democracy, while also gaining valuable experiences and skills.

How to evaluate School Board Races in Texas

By using this checklist, South Asians can make informed decisions when choosing school board members who will work towards creating better educational opportunities for students.School board races are critical for South Asians as we aim to elect competent individuals who prioritize education and avoid playing culture wars. As parents and community members, we want to ensure that our children receive a world-class education that prepares them for the future. This means electing school board members who understand the importance of a rigorous curriculum that provides our children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Checklist for choosing a competent school board member:

  1. Prioritize Competence: Choose candidates who have experience in education, finance, or management. They should have a track record of making sound decisions that benefit students, teachers, and the community.

  2. Avoid Culture Wars: Stay away from candidates who focus on divisive issues such as race, religion, or political affiliations. Look for individuals who can work with diverse groups and promote inclusivity.

  3. Look for a Strong Curriculum: Look for candidates who prioritize the development of a world-class curriculum that prepares students for the future.

  4. Budgeting Skills: Choose candidates who understand budgeting and can effectively allocate resources to improve student outcomes.

  5. Experience Matters: Consider candidates who have a proven record of improving schools and creating successful educational programs.

  6. Reject Extremists: Avoid candidates who are extremists or have an agenda that is focused on a single issue or ideology. Look for individuals who are open-minded, collaborative, and focused on student success.

  7. Against Vouchers: Choose candidates who are against the voucher system, which diverts public funds to private schools and weakens the public school system.


How South Asians can flex their political power in local elections

As the fastest-growing minority population in Texas, South Asians have a significant role to play in shaping the future of our cities. However, when it comes to local elections, many South Asians do not turn out to vote. While 75% of us vote in a presidential election, on average only 6% vote in a municipal election, depending on your city.

It's time for us to change that. Municipal elections may not get the same amount of media attention as presidential elections, but they are just as important, if not more so, for our day-to-day lives. Local officials make decisions that affect everything from the quality of our schools to the safety of our neighborhoods. When we don't participate in local elections, we're giving up our voice in these critical decisions.

We have the power to make a difference. The South Asian community is large and growing, and our votes can have a significant impact on local races across Texas. By coming together and voting, we can ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed by our elected officials.

It's also essential to recognize that local elections can be decided by just a few votes. Your vote could be the deciding factor in who gets elected to the city council, school board, or other local positions. Every vote counts, and we need to make sure that our voices are heard.

As we approach local elections, let's commit to making our voices heard. Whether you're voting for a school board member or a city council representative, your vote matters. Take the time to learn about the candidates and their positions, and make sure to vote on Election Day.

In conclusion, South Asians should make sure to vote in local elections. We may vote 75% in a presidential election, but only 6% in a municipal election, which means we are giving up our voice in critical decisions that impact our daily lives. Let's come together and use our power to make a difference in our communities by voting on Election Day.

Curbside Voting

Curbside Voting

Curbside voting is available at all polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day. It is a good idea but not required to call your county elections office in advance to confirm your intention to use this facility.

You can find the addresses and phone numbers for all 254 counties in Texas by going to https://bit.ly/TXCtyRegistrars. To find their website, Google “[your county name] website” to find more information.

This service is reserved for those who are “physically unable to enter the polling place,” typically the mobility-impaired and/or elderly. In addition, if you are ill (meaning ill with something other than COVID-19; if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, contact your County Elections office to check if you are eligible for curbside voting and still wish to vote, you may do so with curbside voting.

What are Your Voting Rights

What Are Your Voting Rights

You have rights, and it’s important to know what they are. You can find the full list here: https://www.votetexas.gov/your-rights/

AN IMPORTANT RIGHT IS THE RIGHT TO CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. YOU MAY CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IF:

your name does not appear on the list of registered voters

you do not meet the voter ID requirements and cannot sign the Reasonable Impediment Declaration

If you need to cast a provisional ballot, the election judge will provide you details about how to cure the provisional status of your ballot and the time frame in which that must be done.

HELP HOTLINE

In case you have concerns you may call Texas Democratic Party Voter Information and Protection Hotline at 1-844-898-6837.

Have questions or need help voting? Call

1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).

Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali.

There are several reasons you may want to call the hotline,for instance:

You have questions about voting that you cannot find the answers to.

You have been denied the right to vote.

You have witnessed illegal or questionable electioneering behavior.

You have experienced unusual delays or voting discrimination.

There is voter intimidation occurring .

You have been wrongly purged from the voter registration rolls .

Vote By Mail

The deadline for the county to receive your application for a mail ballot for the March 2022 Primary is Friday, February 18, 2022.

Note: Due to reports of applications being rejected in some counties, we are recommending voters include both the ID numbers of one of the indicated forms (either Texas Driver’s License, State ID number, or election ID certificate if you have neither) and the last four digits of their social security number.

New Required Procedure 

A new law requires that individuals who vote by mail include with both their application and mail ballot either their:

  • Texas Driver’s License number

  • Texas State ID number

  • Last four digits of their social security number, or

  • Election ID Certificate number

There will be a designated location on the application and the ballot’s carrier envelope where you will include one of those ID numbers. 

If you receive a vote by mail application or ballot rejection notice for reason of incorrect or missing ID numbers, you can add the numbers or correct the numbers using the Secretary of State’s ballot and application tracker portal.

Once you’ve been approved and receive your mail-in ballot, please complete it as soon as possible and either mail it back to your Early Voting Clerk or hand deliver it to their office on Election Day.

Want to see the status of your application or mail-in ballot? Click here to head to the Secretary of State’s NEW online tracker.

Who is able to request a Mail Ballot?

  • Individuals 65 and over on Election Day

  • Individuals who are sick or have a disability and affirmatively indicate on the application that they “have a sickness or physical condition that prevents [them] from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring [their] health,”

  • Individuals who are confined in jail

  • Individuals who will be outside of their county during Early Vote AND Election Day

  • Individuals who are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

Where can I get a mail ballot application?

  • If you have access to a printer and computer, you can print off an application here.

  • If you need an application mailed to you, fill out this request form here.

  • Mail or hand deliver your application to the address listed for your county here.

What qualifies as a disability or physical condition?

  • Any voter who applies to vote by mail for reason of disability or physical condition must also affirmatively indicate on the application that they “have a sickness or physical condition that prevents [them] from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring [their] health,”

  • The decision to apply to vote by mail based on a disability or physical condition is your own (subject to a correct understanding of the law). Your county clerk has no responsibility to question or investigate your application unless you provide additional information explaining your specific disability or physical condition.

  • The following do NOT constitute sufficient cause to vote by mail: lack of transportation; needing to be on-site at work; or a sickness that does not prevent you from appearing at the polling place on Election Day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring your health.

  • If your application to vote by mail has been questioned or rejected, call 844-TX-VOTES for assistance.

I forgot to include my ID number on my application.

  • Look up your application on the state’s tracker portal and you will be able to enter your ID number. This should complete your application and you should be mailed a ballot.

I forgot which ID number I used on my ballot application.

  • If the ID numbers included on the application and ballot both bring up the same voter when searched, then the numbers will be accepted and the ballot signature will still be presumed to be that of the voter.

It is close to the deadline and I would like to vote by mail, but I am worried my application will not arrive to the Early Voting Clerk on time.

  • Due to a change in state law, voters are now able to hand-deliver their mail-in ballot application in-person at their Early Voting Clerk’s office through the day of the deadline.

  • If you are not able to hand-deliver your application, you also have the option to overnight your application via USPS or a common contract carrier, such as UPS and FedEx. Remember, it must arrive at the Early Voting Clerk’s office by closing time on the day of the deadline.

  • You can also submit your application via email or fax, but you must also mail the original, hard copy of your application to the early clerk of your county. And it must be received by your county within 4 business days of your email/fax.

    • First, complete the application here, print it out, and sign it.

    • Email or fax a photo or scanned version of your application to the early voting clerk of your county by Friday, February 18, 2022. You can find the email address and fax number for your early voting clerk here. Then, you must also mail the original, hard copy of the application to your early voting clerk, and it must be received within four business days of your email/fax (February 24 if you emailed/faxed it on February 18). You can find the mailing address for your early voting clerk here.

What if I become disabled or hospitalized on or after the deadline to request a mail-in ballot?

  • You have the option of voting a late ballot. A registered voter who becomes disabled or hospitalized on or after the deadline may fill out this application, have a physician, chiropractor, or accredited Christian Science practitioner complete the affidavit section, and have a friend, family member, or other representative deliver the application and pick up a ballot from the early voting clerk. The application can be submitted until 5pm on Election Day. Then, the voter can mark the ballot, and their representative can personally deliver it back to the early voting clerk’s office before 7:00 pm on Election Day.

I’m helping/I am a military or overseas voter. How can they/I get a ballot?

  • There are special provisions and deadlines to make voting easier for military personnel and overseas citizens. Get more information here.

 

Mail Ballot

When does my mail ballot need to be received in order to be counted?

  • Your mail ballot must be received by your county by 7pm on Election Day (if it’s not postmarked) or 5pm the day after Election Day (as long as it’s postmarked by 7pm on Election Day).

Can I send my ballot by FedEx or UPS?

  • We strongly recommend that you hand-deliver your ballot on Election Day. If you choose to send your ballot via FedEx or UPS, keep in mind that the envelope containing your ballot will not be postmarked, so it must arrive by Election Day.

Can I hand deliver my ballot to the elections office?

  • Yes, but only on Election Day. Other rules were in place for the November 2020 election, but for the March 2022 Primary election you can only hand deliver your ballot on Election Day to the early voting clerk’s office.


Source: Texas Democratic Party

What to take to the polls

What to take to the Polls

THERE ARE 2 KEY ITEMS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO THE VOTING BOOTH:

First, take a valid form of ID.

Senate Bill 5, passed by the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, requires voters who possess an acceptable form of photo identification for voting listed below to present that identification in order to vote in person in all Texas elections.:

  1. Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

  2. Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

  3. Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

  4. Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

  5. United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph

  6. United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

  7. United States Passport (book or card)

  8. With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

US Passport (Book or ID) If you are age 69 or younger on Election Day, any of the acceptable forms of voter ID can be expired up to four (4) years as of Election Day (expired more recently than November 3, 2016). If you are 70 or older on Election Day, your ID can be expired for any length of time.

It’s ok if the address on your Drivers License does not match your registered address, though as a precaution you should take a utility bill or other official mail with your name and address matching your registered name and address.

Next, print out our Election Guide for your county.

Print out any of guides we have provided for you. Cell phones are not permitted to be on in the polls so print the Election Guide for your county and be sure to take it with you.

Other recommendations you may consider for Covid safety: bringing your own marking instrument such as a pen, pencil with eraser, or stylus to use when checking in to vote and for marking your ballot, wearing latex gloves and bringing your hand sanitizer to the polling location to use after leaving the polling locations, wearing an appropriate face mask over your nose and mouth at the polling.

Collin County County Commissioners Court - Redistricting

Desis Raise your voice!

Collin County redistricting has not been transparent or open to feedback from the community. Our voices are powerful and can affect change. We are the fastest-growing population in Colin County. We cannot allow maps to be drawn behind closed doors. Other Counties in contrast have been open and transparent.

There is very little time left for them to adopt new maps as required by law and even less time for them to hold public meetings for comment. 

Please take a moment to call or email. Use the script as a guidleines, but use your own words

If you have questions, you can reach out to Sarah Chen at the Texas Civil Rights Project at schen@texascivilrightsproject.org for more information and for assistance with drawing maps. 

Collin County Template

Dear Commissioner _____/Judge _____,


I am a resident of Collin County, and I want to know why the county commissioners’ court has not yet released any information about county commissioner precinct redistricting. Other counties, such as Dallas and Hays, have provided many opportunities for public feedback on maps. I would like the formal opportunity to give public comments in my county about how precinct lines should be drawn to respect my community of interest, particularly my growing Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Does the commissioner’s court have any plans to release information about the redistricting process? How will that information be released? 

I urge you to make public on the county website all redistricting criteria and data considered, all map proposals, dates and locations for public comment, and dates when the Commissioner Court will vote on the maps.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see more information about county redistricting soon.

Best,

Your name

Email, Call or Fax.

Collin County Commissioners Court

Collin County Administration Building

2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite 4192

McKinney, TX 75071

Map

Chris Hill, County Judge

chill@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Susan Fletcher, Precinct 1 Commissioner

sfletcher@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4676

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Cheryl Williams, Precinct 2 Commissioner

cdwilliams@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4626

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Darrell Hale, Precinct 3 Commissioner

dhale@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

Duncan Webb, Precinct 4 Commissioner

jdwebb@collincountytx.gov

972-424-1460 ext. 4631

972-548-4699 (Fax)

What to take to the Polls Nov 2021

There are 2 key items you need to take to the voting booth:

First, take a valid form of ID.

The acceptable forms of voter ID are: 1. Texas Drivers License 2. Texas Personal Identification Card 3. Texas Election ID Certificate 4. Texas Handgun License 5. US Citizenship Certificate with Photo 6. US Military ID Card with Photo 7. US Passport (Book or ID) If you are age 69 or younger on Election Day, any of the acceptable forms of voter ID can be expired up to four (4) years as of Election Day (expired more recently than November 3, 2016). If you are 70 or older on Election Day, your ID can be expired for any length of time.

It’s ok if the address on your Drivers License does not match your registered address, though as a precaution you should take a utility bill or other official mail with your name and address matching your registered name and address.

Next, print out our Election Guide for your county. Print out any of guides we have provided for you. Cell phones are not permitted to be on in the polls so print the Election Guide for your county and be sure to take it with you.

Other recommendations you may consider for Covid safety: bringing your own marking instrument such as a pen, pencil with eraser, or stylus to use when checking in to vote and for marking your ballot, wearing latex gloves and bringing your hand sanitizer to the polling location to use after leaving the polling locations, wearing an appropriate face mask over your nose and mouth at the polling.

Redistricting Tools

South Asians are protected by the Voting Acts Rights of 1965 Click here to learn more

Sample Testimony from SAAVETX members Click here to get ideas

General Talking points

What to include in Redistricting Testimony?

Process Talking Points:

1.) Hold hearings with virtual testimony on the map proposals themselves at least 1-week notice before the hearing and map proposals made public at least at the time of notice

2.) Include with any map a report on how the district plans affect the ability of Voting Rights Act-protected groups to elect candidates of their choice

Geographic Talking Points

1.) El Paso: For El Pasoans who are part of a district that stretches East out of El Paso County, to be connected with similar cultural and demographic communities so as not to dilute their voting power. Last redistricting cycle, the Legislature was found to have intentionally discriminated by diluting the voting power of East El Pasoans.

2.) Central Texas: Travis County not diluted by splitting it up unnecessarily. Bell County gets two whole state representative seats -- currently the diverse Killeen community is split apart and diluted by connecting it to the distant, rural, majority Anglo Lampasas. Central Texas: For Senate: SD 25 most overpopulated -- keep like communities together; the rural hill country areas should form their own district and not split more urban hill country communities such as San Marcos

3.) Houston: Explosive growth in communities of color, particularly in Western Harris/Fort Bend County, led to Texas gaining epresentation in Congress, and additional Texas House representation in Fort Bend County. These new districts need to be drawn to give political power to the communities which grew and not used as a tool to bolster the representational power of others

Census Data:

- Fort Bend: Asian population grew by 83% during last decade; Latinx population grew by 43%; Black population grew by 41%; White population actually shrank by 5%

- Fort Bend county is now almost 70% non-white, but the current districts do not elect candidates who represent this diversity.

4.) DFW: Same as with Houston area -- driving growth of the state, and all of that growth is coming from communities of color. This needs to equate to new districts which represent those communities.

Census Data:

○ Collin County: Asian population grew by 113%; Black population grew by 73%; Latinx population grew by 47%; White population only grew by 3%

○ Denton County: Asian population - 115%; Black - 84.5%; White 5.9%

○ Tarrant: Asian- 56%; Black - 41.2%; Latinx - 28.6%; White alone - lost 27.1%

○ Dallas: Asian - 53%; Latinx - 16.8%; Black - 11.6%; White alone - lost 13.4%

5.) AAPI under-representation: increased by 66.5%; makeup 6.3% of total population now - no representation in Texas Senate or Congress

Email Everyone To Get Them to Vote

A personal email from you may be the thing that compels your relative, friend, or colleague to at last make their voice heard at the polls. Here is a sample email you can copy, paste, attach your county’s Election Info sheet from our website and send to entire your network! You can find your county’s Election Info sheet here.

Dear Friends,

Just a quick note to say please go vote to secure a better future for all of us. Early voting ends Oct 30. I did it and it’s so easy! I’m attaching a sheet you can print and take to the polls to help you with candidate selections as well as helpful info you may find handy like a hotline in case of any issues.

Attach election guides for your county

https://saavetx.org/plan-to-vote

Get your neighbors to go vote

Here’s a fun, easy way to help your Desi neighbors get to the polls. We will be targeting Desi Democrats that have not voted in this election. It’s a contactless way to leave valuable information on doors of voters who have not voted.

Literature drops(“Lit drops”) are contactless way to get information to voters. We will be dropping slate cards to encourage voters to vote. Minivan will update every day to identify voters who have not voted yet.

How To Lit Drop

Sign up here to get involved with your SAAVETX regional team https://forms.gle/gdUfAWib9UhUu2or9

  1. Prepare your literature with a short handwritten note. Your team leader will provide you with postcards and an Election Info sheet as your lit. Once you have at least 50 pieces of lit ready, you can go “drop”.

  2. Download the Mini-van app, create an action ID if you don’t already have one.

  3. Enter the code we give you. This code tells the app to pull a specific demographic group that we have strategically identified to receive our literature.

  4. Once you have entered the code, go to the top left corner and choose “maps” from the menu.

  5. You’ll see a map with pins placed on the homes of the people we are targeting. These are the homes you will drop your literature at.

  6. Proceed to the first address, tap the address on the app. You will see the names of each registered South Asian voter at that address with a circle to the left of their name. Click on a name, click on the red box at the top which reads “I Couldn’t Reach This Contact”.

  7. Leave the lit wedged in the hinge of the door, stuck between two doors, or any other place where it will be noticed, preferably in a way that your handwritten note is visible. DO NOT PUT IT IN A MAILBOX, this is illegal. Once you’ve dropped your lit at that address, click the “Lit Dropped” option.

  8. Proceed to the next address! Once you have finished for the day, do not log out, Logging out locks you out for a day.

 

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