Before You Vote: A Texas checklist to ensure you’re election-ready

Voting is one of the simplest ways Texans can shape what happens in our communities, but it works best when you take a few minutes to prepare ahead of time. In Texas, that preparation usually comes down to three steps: confirming your registration, registering or updating your information if needed, and previewing your ballot.

The good news is that Texas has clear, state-supported tools to help you do each of these quickly and confidently. Here is how to get election-ready before you vote.

How to get ready: register, confirm, and preview your ballot

Step 1: Check your registration status

Texas voter registration is managed by counties, but the state provides clear instructions and tools to get started. Texas requires voters to register by the deadline, and your registration must reflect your current address. Since your registration status and address are tied to your county and precinct, it is critical to verify that this information is accurate.

Start by confirming if you’re registered or whether you’re registered at your current address by using the Secretary of State’s personal voter portal.

Step 2: Register to vote (or update your registration)

To register, you’ll complete a voter registration application and submit it to your county voter registrar. You can:

• Start your voter registration application online, then print and mail it, OR
• Download the official Texas voter registration form, then mail it.

If you have recently changed your name or moved, you can easily update your voter registration online. Within 30 days of submitting the form, you will receive a new Voter Certificate in the mail and be able to vote using your new name or address in the next election.

Step 3: Look up your ballot and where to vote

Your ballot is based on where you live and, in Texas, ballots can vary significantly by county and precinct. The best starting point is the state-run voter information hub.

To see what will be on your ballot and where you can vote:

• Start with VoteTexas.gov, the state-run voter information hub.
• Then check your local county elections office for:
  • sample ballots
  • early voting locations and hours
  • Election Day polling locations

Once you’ve checked your registration, made any updates, and looked up your ballot, you’ve already done the hardest part: you have taken control of the process instead of leaving it to chance.

From here, it’s about turning that preparation into a plan: deciding whether you’ll vote early or on Election Day, confirming your polling place, and making sure you have what you need when you go. Texas elections move fast, and deadlines come up quickly, so a few minutes of preparation can make all the difference. A plan makes it easier to show up, and showing up is how Texans make decisions together.

For more information on the March party primary elections, check out this blog: “Texas Primaries 101: How they work and what to expect in 2026”