Early Voting Ends Nov.1 - NEW RULES EXPLAINED by TSU Thurgood Marshall School of Law Urban Research Center - Having a Felony Does Not Automatically Block You from Voting see details below

1. Early Voting dates and times are set: Though Election Day 2019 is November 5th, early voting in Texas (including Harris County) is as follows: October 21st–26th, 7a.m.–7p.m.; October 27th, 1p.m.–6p.m.; and October 28th - November 1st, 7a.m.–7p.m. Some Texas counties may vary these times. So, if you live outside Harris County, please check with your county’s office of elections.

2. County-wide voting is here: “Harris County has transitioned to countywide polling which allows voters to go to any place in the county to cast a ballot,” said Roshawn Evans, director of Pure Justice. Michael Winn Harris County Clerk’s Office’s director of elections, added, “Know that you can go to any of the 757 Election Day locations to vote.”

3. Having a felony does not automatically block you from voting: In Texas individuals with felony records are allowed to vote as long as they have completed any community supervision requirements they may have been placed under. “So many people with criminal records have been falsely told that they cannot vote because they have a felony. People need to understand that each state is different when it comes to the restoration of voting rights for returning citizens,” said Evans.

4. You can preview your ballot now: “Be familiar with your ballot before going to the polls. Go to harrisvotes.com to look at your sample ballot. Utilize the wait time feature and locate the polling location closest to you to avoid lines,” shared Winn.

5. Bring ID to the polls: Kim Topps, the Texas State Connection Coordinator for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - South Central Region and an active member of Top Ladies of Distinction, said, “Because ID is required to vote, make sure you bring one of these accepted forms of identification:”

• Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) • United States Passport (book or card)

• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph • United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

6. If you have no ID, vote anyway: If you don’t have the required forms of ID when you go to the polls, you can still vote by provisional ballot. “According to VoteTexas.gov - the voter may cast a provisional ballot at the polls. However, in order to have the provisional ballot counted, the voter will be required to visit the voter registrar’s office within six calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the acceptable forms of photo ID or submit one of the temporary affidavits (e.g., religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar or submit the required paperwork and sign the required statement to qualify for a permanent disability exemption in the presence of the county voter registrar, in order for the provisional ballot to count. Take this with you to the polls if needed,” shared Scott.

7. Employers must allow you to vote: Your employer is legally required to allow you time to vote. Once at the polls and in line to vote, stay in the voting line until you cast your vote. As long as you were in line before the polls are scheduled to close, you have the right to cast your ballot.

Urban Research and Resource Center