How to get a ballot by mail for an election
College Students and Voting: How to Secure Your Mail-In Ballot in Texas
As a college student in Texas, your vote matters more than ever. With South Asians being the fastest-growing minority population, the youth vote has the power to create a seismic shift in Texas politics. But the state has made it challenging for young people to vote, especially for those who need to vote by mail. It’s crucial to understand the process and make sure your voice is heard.
Here’s everything you need to know about securing your mail-in ballot and navigating the Texas voting system.
College Mail-in Ballots
Application for a Ballot by Mail
YOUR FIRST DECISION WILL BE WHICH COUNTY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN.
STUDENTS MAY REGISTER TO VOTE EITHER AT THEIR COLLEGE ADDRESS OR AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS, NOT BOTH. THIS IS YOUR DECISION, BUT SOME CONSIDERATIONS STUDENTS USE ARE
1. Do I want to vote by mail or in person? Assuming your college is not in the same county as your home county, if you are registered in your home county, you will need to vote by mail.
2. Where do I consider “home”? If you do not plan to return to your home county other than to visit family, you may wish to register in the county where your college is.
3. Where will your vote be “strategic”? You may feel passionate about a candidate or issue, in either your home county or your college county, in which case, you may want to register to vote there. Assuming you choose to vote in your home county, you will complete an Application for Ballot by Mail under the “absent from county” provision. You will have your ballot sent to your college address, and then complete and return it just like any other person. Please make sure you do this with plenty of time.
Instructions for submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”):
Print (PDF) the ABBM form
OR submit an order online and an ABBM will be mailed to you.
Complete Sections 1 through 4.
Sign and Date Section 5.
If you were unable to sign the application and someone witnessed 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.
Affix postage.
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 top tab, seal and add postage.
Address and mail the completed ABBM to the Early Voting Clerk in your county. You may also fax the application if a fax machine is available in the early voting clerk’s office. You also have the option of submitting a scanned copy of the completed and signed application to the Early Voting Clerk via email. If an ABBM is faxed or emailed, then the original, hard copy of the application MUST be mailed and received by the early voting clerk no later than the 4th business day.
The Early Voting Clerk is the County Clerk or Elections Administrator for your county
Contact information, including mailing addresses, fax numbers if available, and email addresses for the Early Voting Clerks are available on this website.
NOTICE: Do not mail, fax, or email completed applications for Ballot by Mail to the Secretary of State Office. To ensure timely receipt, please send your completed application for a Ballot by Mail to your county’s early voting clerk.
Track My Ballot
Military and overseas voters are welcome to use the regular registration and early voting by mail process available to all voters away from their home county on Election Day. However, there are also special provisions for military and overseas voters.
For more information, please read the Early Voting in Texas pamphlet.
Source Texas Secretary of State