Lubbock County voters have a new resource to help them prepare for the 2026 general election. The nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom Lubbock Lights has released a free online guide that shows each voter the exact ballot they will receive, lets them mark selections on a phone or tablet, and provides a printable cheat sheet to bring into the voting booth.
How the guide works
Visit LubbockLights.com/elections-2026 and tap the red, white and blue tab at the top of any Lubbock Lights page. After entering an email address – used only for an Election Day reminder and optional newsletter – users tap “Unlock my ballot.” The tool then asks for a home address or, if preferred, a three‑digit voting precinct number found on the voter registration card.
The address is sent to the U.S. Census Bureau’s public address finder, which returns a map point. That point is matched to Lubbock County’s precinct map, and the guide displays the precinct number and the exact sample ballot the county will print. If the address cannot be matched, the tool falls back to OpenStreetMap’s public finder.
Marking and printing your choices
Once the sample ballot appears, voters can tap a candidate’s name to place a black check mark in the box beside it; tapping again removes the mark. The guide saves selections on the device, so they remain if the page is closed and reopened later on the same phone. Users can clear all choices or undo a mistake with a single tap.
When ready, the “Print my ballot cheat sheet” button opens a print window. Voters can print at home, email the list to a library printer, or ask a family member for assistance. The guide also includes a “Zoom in” option for small screens and a “Fit to width” button for easier navigation.
Finding polling places
Below the ballot, the guide lists every early‑voting and Election Day location in Lubbock County, marked with orange dots on a map. If the address was entered, the map automatically zooms to the voter’s neighborhood and orders locations by proximity. Each site shows whether it is currently open, and users can tap Google Maps or Apple Maps for turn‑by‑turn directions.
What to bring on Election Day
The tool reminds voters to bring one acceptable photo ID. Texas law permits seven forms of photo identification; the guide reproduces the Secretary of State’s list and notes supporting documents for those who cannot reasonably obtain a photo ID.
Texas also prohibits the use of wireless communication devices within 100 feet of a polling place, making a printed cheat sheet especially valuable.
Support and accountability
“The purpose of this tool is to empower voters with information and give them something they can print and carry into the voting place with them,” said L. Scott Mann, publisher of Lubbock Lights. The guide draws on the Lubbock County Elections Office’s sample ballots, precinct maps and the Texas Secretary of State’s certified ballot. Questions about registration can be directed to the County Elections Office at (806) 775‑1339, and errors in the guide can be reported to [email protected].
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19 and runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Original reporting: Lubbock Lights — read the source article.
