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Early voting begins Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

Seren Anwen October 20, 2024

Early voting for the highly anticipated Nov. 5 presidential election begins Monday. This gives registered Bexar County residents two weeks to cast their vote at one of the county’s 51 early voting locations.

Over the past four years, Bexar County has seen a notable increase in voter registration, up 9.7% compared to previous presidential election cycles.

More than 1.2 million Bexar County residents are currently registered to vote, and an additional 104,574 registrations have been processed since the 2020 election, said Jacquelyn “Jacque” Callanen, the longtime Bexar County elections administrator who is overseeing her last election before retiring.

“You can see the growth in Bexar County,” Callanen said at a news conference Thursday. “We’ve talked about it, you’ve told everyone – the growth is just incredible.”

However, only a fraction of those eligible to vote have registered for this election.

With the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline now passed, voters are preparing for an election that has the potential to reshape leadership at the local, state and federal levels.

The early voting deadline is Friday, November 1st. Here’s everything you need to know before you head to the polls.

What’s on the ballot?

Aside from the choice between elevating Vice President Kamala Harris to the presidency or reinstating former President Donald Trump, Texas is set for a high-stakes showdown in the U.S. Senate between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred.

All members of Congress are also up for re-election, potentially shifting control of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as state legislative and judicial seats.

At the local level, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, is running against Republican Nathan Buchanan, and two Bexar County commissioners are up for re-election.

Voters in San Antonio, Converse and Schertz will have local proposals on the ballot.

The Bexar County Board of Elections has provided online resources, including a personalized sample ballot, to help voters prepare before going to the polls.

Where can I vote?

The Bexar County Board of Elections will operate 51 early voting centers in San Antonio and Bexar County beginning Monday. And voters can cast their votes at each of these locations. Find the one that works best for you on this map.

Most locations will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 28 through November 1. Opening hours are shorter on weekends. Be sure to check opening times here before you set off.

Are you planning to vote on Election Day? On November 5, voters in Bexar County will have more than 300 polling locations to choose from, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m

How can I determine if I am registered to vote?

In Texas, you must be registered to vote. The registration period ended on October 7th. Be sure to check your registration status online before voting.

All you need is: your Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) or Texas driver’s license number, your name, county and date of birth.

If you’ve moved but haven’t updated your address, you should still be able to vote as long as you have valid ID – you’ll just receive a ballot based on your old address.

How do I know if I am eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote if you have registered by the deadline of October 7th and:

A US citizen
A resident of the county in which you are submitting your voter registration application
At least 18 years old on election day
Not a convicted felon (you may still be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation and parole)
Not declared totally or partially mentally incapacitated and without the right to vote by a court exercising probate jurisdiction.

Do I need to bring my voter registration card?

No, but it could speed up the check-in process. If you do not have a driver’s license, please bring a driver’s license or other identification. Here are the accepted forms of ID:

Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Voter ID Certificate issued by DPS
Texas ID card issued by DPS
Texas handgun license issued by DPS
US military ID card with photo
US citizenship certificate with photo
US passport (book or card)

If you do not have one of the seven approved photo IDs and are unable to obtain one, you may complete a Reasonable Obstruction Declaration at the polling location and provide an alternative ID, such as a state ID card. B. a utility bill or bank statement, government check, or voter registration certificate.

What can go into the ballot box with me and what can’t?

Leave behind any candidate-specific t-shirts, hats or buttons – these are not permitted within 100 feet of polling stations. Electronic devices such as phones, tablets and smartwatches must be turned off or left in the vehicle while voting. Make sure that if you want to refer to notes, they are written on paper.

You can take a paper ballot in the box. Keep in mind that your ballot may look different than your friend’s who lives across town because congressional districts in Texas are drawn quite askew. So be sure to take a look your Sample ballot paper. The best way to do this is to go to the Bexar County Elections page and use the tool that creates your personalized ballot based on your home address. However, be sure to print out a copy to take with you to the polls or write it down on a piece of paper.

Our voter guide, compiled by San Antonio Report staff, includes information on all candidates and charter changes to help you prepare.

How can I vote by postal vote?

Residents who are eligible to vote must submit an application for a postal vote to the district and receive approval from them. You can download the application as a fillable form here.

Alternatively, it can be downloaded, filled out by hand and sent by post to the following address:

Early Voting Clerk
1103 S. Frio, Suite 200
San Antonio, Texas 78207-6328

The application must be submitted to the election office at least 11 days before the election for which the ballot paper is requested. The last day the election office can accept an absentee ballot application is Friday, October 25th.

“This isn’t like voter registration where it just has to be postmarked by this date and time – it has to be physically in this building by then,” Callanen said.

Not everyone in Texas is eligible to vote by mail. If you fall into one of these five categories, you can request an application to vote by mail from the Bexar County Elections Office:

You are 65 or older on election day.
You are sick or disabled (as defined herein).
They expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
You will not be in your county on Election Day or during early voting hours.
They are in prison or subject to involuntary civil commitment, but they are eligible to vote.

The voter will receive a paper ballot through the U.S. Post Office if they qualify for the upcoming election. All returned ballots must be postmarked no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are mailing your ballot from outside the United States, it must be received by the elections office no later than five days after Election Day.

Those eligible to vote by mail must provide:

your driver’s license number; and/or
The last four digits of your social security number.

Voters must write their driver’s license number and/or the last four of their Social Security number in two places:

To apply for a postal vote; And
On the completed ballot envelope.

Anyone who votes by postal vote should definitely not forget to sign the application before sending it off. Be sure to place the ballot in the white secret envelope. You must first seal the envelope and then sign over the flap – do not sign and then fold the flap over the signature. The signature must be complete.

If information is missing or invalid, the elections office will proactively contact you to resolve any discrepancies. Failed attempts to contact you regarding your missing or mismatched driver’s license or Social Security number on the application or ballot may result in a denial.

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Early voting begins Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

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