In recent weeks, voters in Hunt County have found unsolicited mail‑in ballot applications in their mailboxes that contain only four of the eight numbers on a Texas driver’s license. The incomplete forms have sparked confusion and concern among seniors who are eligible to vote by mail.
Election official clarifies the source
Hunt County Elections Administrator Sheri Nerren addressed the issue on Facebook, assuring residents that the applications are legitimate. “These are organizations that are trying to do good to help a certain demographic vote,” Nerren wrote. She noted that third‑party groups often request voter lists from the state, sort them by age or party affiliation, and then mail ballot‑by‑mail applications to targeted voters.
According to Nerren, the recent batch was aimed specifically at voters 65 and older. The groups used public information provided by the Texas Secretary of State to generate the forms, which explains why some of the fields were pre‑filled or incomplete.
Texas mail‑in voting rules
Texas law permits voting by mail only for certain categories of voters: those who are 65 years of age or older, individuals who are sick or disabled, voters who will be out of the county on Election Day and during early voting, and pregnant voters who expect to give birth on Election Day. Receiving a form does not automatically qualify a person for a mail‑in ballot.
Nerren emphasized that anyone who is unsure about their eligibility or the authenticity of a form should contact their county elections office directly. “If they do receive one of these forms and they’re worried about it being legit, it is always, always best to call the local elections office in your county,” she said.
What voters should do
Residents who have received the incomplete applications should:
- Verify eligibility by reviewing the state’s mail‑in voting criteria.
- Check the form against the official application available on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
- Contact the Hunt County Elections Office at the phone number listed on the county’s website for confirmation.
By taking these steps, voters can ensure that their ballots are submitted correctly and avoid potential delays.
Broader context
Unsolicited voter outreach is not new in Texas. Advocacy groups, political parties, and civic organizations frequently distribute mail‑in ballot applications to encourage participation among eligible voters. While the intent is often to increase turnout, the practice can lead to confusion when forms are incomplete or when recipients are unaware of the eligibility requirements.
Election officials across the state continue to advise voters to rely on official sources for ballot applications and to report any suspicious or malformed forms to the appropriate county office.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
