Early Voting
November 3 Election Day
Excerpt: Early voting starts Monday, October 19. Here are the dates, the ID rules, and what's on the ballot in North Texas, plus a word on why showing up still matters.
Every election season, someone says their vote doesn't matter. Scripture puts it differently: "Seek the welfare of the city… for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7). Voting is one of the plainest ways we seek the welfare of Grand Prairie, Dallas, Fort Worth, and every community in between. This year, the ballot is long and the stakes are real.
The dates that matter
Early voting opens Monday, October 19, and runs through Friday, October 30. During that window, a registered voter may vote early at any early-voting location in the county. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you're in line by 7 p.m., you're entitled to vote.
The registration deadline has already passed. It was October 5. If you aren't sure you're registered, check now using the Texas Secretary of State's "Am I Registered?" tool at votetexas.gov.
If you qualify to vote by mail, act soon. Your application must be received by your county's Early Voting Clerk by October 23. A postmark by that date isn't enough.
Bring your ID
Texas accepts seven forms of photo ID, including a Texas driver's license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate, a Texas personal ID card, and a Texas handgun license. Check yours before you go.
What's on the ballot
This is a big one. Statewide seats on the ballot include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, and comptroller.
At the federal level, all 38 Texas congressional seats are up this November. The U.S. Senate race puts Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Eight of Texas' 15 State Board of Education seats are also up. Those seats directly shape what our children learn.
At the state level, 16 seats in the 31-member Texas Senate are up for election. All 150 state House seats are on the ballot too.
Closer to home, Tarrant County voters will choose a County Judge and a Criminal District Attorney, along with county criminal court judges and commissioners. The City of Dallas is also holding a special bond election on November 3, with propositions on issuing city bonds.
Because congressional maps were redrawn, your district may have changed. Pull up your sample ballot before you vote so nothing surprises you.
Why vote early?
Early voting usually means shorter lines and a schedule you control. It also gives you a buffer if something comes up, like a sick child, a double shift, or car trouble. Voting hours vary by county, and many counties offer weekend voting.
Where to find your locations and sample ballot:
- Dallas County: dallascountyvotes.org
- Tarrant County: tarrantcountytx.gov/elections
- Collin County: collincountytx.gov/elections
- Denton County: votedenton.gov
Make a plan this week
Pick your day, check your ID, look over your sample ballot, and bring someone with you. Invite a neighbor, a church member, or a young adult voting for the first time. Leadership starts with showing up.
Wear the legacy. Lead the change. Vote. Reap433