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What you need to know about early voting starting in Texas today

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Texas voters will head to the polls starting today for early voting. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about casting a ballot in this year’s election.

Early voting runs from Oct. 13 – 30.

This is the full schedule:

  • Oct. 13-17: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 19-24: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 26: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 27-29: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Oct. 29: 24-hour polling at seven locations starting at 7 a.m.
  • Oct. 30: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Harris County had only one in-person drop-off location for mail-in ballots on Monday, which was at NRG Arena. The clerk’s office told Eyewitness News they will maintain this site as the only site until they receive further orders from the court.

The last day to apply for a mail-in-ballot is Oct. 23. The deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned to the county is Nov. 3.

When do I need to drop off or mail an application?

Applications can be dropped off in person at your county elections office before the start of early voting. Mailed applications must be received by the early voting clerk in your county by Oct. 23.

When do I need to mail my ballot by?

The deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned to the county is Election Day, which is Nov. 3. If they’re postmarked by 7 p.m. that day, they’ll be counted if they’re received by the county on Nov. 4 by 5 p.m.

The U.S. Postal Service recommends that Texans ask for mail-in ballots no later than 15 days ahead of that due date and that they drop completed ballots in the mail a week before the deadline.
For this election, absentee ballots can also be delivered to the county clerk’s office in person with a valid form of ID as soon as they’re completed and before the close of voting on Election Day. You should reach out to your county to find out when and where your county is allowing ballot drop-offs.

Completed ballots from military or overseas voters are accepted if they’re received by Nov. 9. (Those voters go through a different ballot request and return process.)

Where am I allowed to vote early?

Voters can cast ballots at any polling location in the county where they are registered to vote. Early voting locations can be found on the Texas secretary of state’s website two days before early voting begins.

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