North Texas residents can begin casting early ballots on Monday, Oct. 19. The twelve‑day window closes on Friday, Oct. 30, giving voters ample time to vote before Election Day on Nov. 3.

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Early voting: Oct. 19 – Oct. 30
• Mail‑in ballot postmark deadline: Tue, Nov. 3
• Mail‑in ballot receipt deadline: 5 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3) or by 5 p.m. on Wed, Nov. 4 for ballots postmarked by 7 p.m.
• Last day to register: Mon, Oct. 5 (online renewal only when updating a driver’s license)

How to Verify Registration and View Sample Ballots

Texans can confirm their voter status at VoteTexas.gov. Each county’s election website also provides a sample ballot based on precinct and county, allowing voters to see exactly which races and propositions will appear on their ticket.

Photo‑ID Requirements

When voting in person, voters must present one of the following forms of photo identification:

• Texas driver’s license
• Texas ID card
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Other government‑issued photo ID

Voters do not need to bring a voter registration card.

County‑Specific Voting Options

More than a dozen North Texas counties have adopted the Countywide Polling Place Program (CPPP). Under CPPP, voters may cast their ballot at any polling location within their home county, providing flexibility and shorter lines.

Counties that still require voters to use their designated precinct on Election Day include Denton County. Residents should check their county’s election webpage for the exact location.

Absentee Ballot Rules

Texans may request an absentee ballot if they will be away from their county of residence on Election Day, are sick or disabled, are confined in jail but otherwise eligible, or are 65 years or older. The absentee ballot request must be received by Friday, Oct. 23 (receipt, not postmark). Absentee ballots can be hand‑delivered, dropped off at the county elections office, or mailed. Hand‑delivery requires the voter’s photo ID and must be the voter’s own envelope; delivering ballots for others is prohibited.

Each county provides specific drop‑off locations:

• Tarrant County: Elections Administration office, 2700 Premier Street (business hours) or hand‑delivery on Election Day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Dallas County: Early Voting Clerk’s Office, 1520 Round Table Drive (extended hours listed on DallasCountyVotes.org).
• Denton County: Early Voting Clerk’s Office, 701 Kimberly Drive (regular business hours).
• Collin County: Elections Department, 2010 Redbud Boulevard, Suite 102 (regular business hours).

Voters can track the receipt of their mail‑in or in‑person ballot on the Texas Secretary of State website.

Straight‑Ticket Voting Change

In 2020, Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation eliminating straight‑ticket voting in Texas. The change, championed by a Republican‑controlled Legislature, was intended to encourage voters to consider each race individually. Democrats challenged the law, arguing it could disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters in large urban counties where longer ballots increase wait times.

What’s on the Ballot?

Texans will vote for U.S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Commissioner of the General Land Office, Commissioner of Agriculture and Railroad Commissioner. Down‑ballot races include U.S. House seats, state legislative seats, judicial positions, county and municipal offices, as well as various bond measures and propositions.

Helpful Resources

• NBC DFW Early Voting Guide
• County election webpages (links provided above)
• Texas Secretary of State – Poll Watchers Guide

By staying informed about registration deadlines, ID requirements and county‑specific voting options, North Texas voters can confidently participate in this pivotal midterm election.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.