With the 2024 United States Presidential Election just one week away, it’s essential to stay informed on all deadlines and requirements to ensure your vote counts.
This is especially crucial for mail-in voters, as ballots must meet specific postmark and receipt deadlines. (The last day to apply for ballot by mail has already passed.)
How do I return my absentee ballot in Texas?
Carefully follow the instructions for marking and returning your ballot by mail.
- By mail: The United States Postal Service recommends mailing completed ballots at least a week before the due date. Locate your nearest USPS office here. (Today is that deadline.)
- In person: Texas allows voters to return their absentee ballots at their designated early voting location.
What do you need to include with your absentee ballot?
You must provide one of the following numbers on your ballot by mail and your mail ballot carrier envelope:
- Texas Driver’s License
- Texas Personal Identification Number
- Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
Absentee ballot mailing deadlines
If postmarked on Election Day, your ballot must reach the local election office by 5:00 p.m. the following day, Wednesday, Nov. 6. The carrier envelope must have a postmark showing it was mailed by 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Military personnel and overseas citizens are required to mail their ballots, postmarked, by Election Day. Ballots must be received by Nov. 12, according to the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
If there’s no postmark, the ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
How do I know if my absentee ballot was received?
You can track your mail-in ballot here.
Eligibility for mail-in ballots
You must be:
- 65 years or older;
- sick or disabled;
- out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or
- confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
Can you vote on Election Day if you missed the mailing deadline for absentee ballots or changed your mind?
This process varies by state.
In Texas, according to ProPublica, you can bring your mail ballot to a polling or early voting site, surrender it, and then vote with a regular ballot. If you don’t have your mail ballot with you, you can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted after Election Day.
Key dates for the 2024 presidential election
- Last day of early voting by personal appearance: Nov. 1
- Election Day: Nov. 5
- Electoral College vote: Dec. 17
- Congress counts electoral votes: Jan. 6
- Inauguration: Jan. 20
