Your 2024 Guide to Voting in Dallas County

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Dallas County residents have many big decisions ahead of them. Voters will help elect the next president of the United States, decide who should represent them in the state House and will help determine which party controls the U.S. Senate and House. We can’t forget about the local Congressman who is in a competitive battle to unseat an incumbent Republican U.S. Senator from Texas.

The general election will take place on Nov. 5. From mail-in ballots to voter IDs, here’s everything you’ll need to know about Texas voting in 2024.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote in Texas?

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 7. To check your registration status, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s voter’s portal.

Do I pick a political party when I vote in Texas?

Texas does not require voters to register with a political party when they register to vote. Rather, the state holds open primaries, meaning regardless of which party voters identify with, they can choose which party’s nominees they would like to select each primary election year.

At the primary polls, voters will choose whether to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary by requesting the appropriate primary ballot. After choosing a side, you have to stay in the party-specific runoff lane. The Green and Libertarian parties select party candidates through a series of local conventions and a state convention. Texas voters can participate in only one party’s primary and runoff election or in one third party’s convention.

Dallas County hosted a joint primary, meaning everyone checked in at the same desk and used the same voting machines. Other counties, like Denton County, might use precinct-specific polling places or have separate check-in stations and lines for each party on election day.

What’s on the ballot?

In addition to the presidential election this year, Texans can also cast their vote for several Texas officials running for office at the federal, state and local levels. This includes the following in both the U.S. and Texas state houses and other elected offices:

• 1 U.S. Senator
• 15 State Senators
• 7 State Board of Education members
• 1 of 3 Railroad Commissioners
• 3 members of the Texas Supreme Court
• 3 members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
• 5 Chief Justice seats on the Texas Courts of Appeals 

The following local county offices and lower-level judges will also be on the ballot:

• County Courts at Law
• Justices of the Peace
• District attorneys
• County attorneys
• Sheriffs
• Constables
• Tax assessor-collectors
• Various district judges, including those on family and criminal courts

How to vote early in-person

Any registered voter may vote early, but their vote must be cast in-person at the polls unless they qualify to vote by mail. Ballots can be cast early at any polling location within the county where voters are registered. Early-voting locations can be found on each county election office’s website.

How to vote by mail

You are eligible to vote by mail in Texas if you meet one of the following requirements:

• You will be 65 or older by Election Day
• You will not be in your county for the entire voting period (early voting included)
• You cite a sickness or disability
• You are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
• You are confined to jail, but otherwise eligible

You can request an application for ballot by mail (ABBM) from your county’s early voting clerk or use the online application form. You can return your completed request form through the mail or in-person to your early voting clerk.

Mail-in ballots are typically mailed out 7 days after the county election office receives an application. Your ballot must be returned to the county by Election Day. Ballots postmarked by 7 p.m. locally on Election Day will be counted if the county receives it by 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots can be delivered in-person to county election offices with a valid form of ID while Election Day polls are open.

The state’s online ballot tracker is available for Texans who want to check the status of their mail-in application or ballot. The tracker can also be used to make corrections on both forms.

Voter ID requirements

Under state law, Texans are required to present one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID at the polls when voting in-person. The following documents qualify:

• Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas election ID certificate issued by DPS
• Texas personal ID card issued by DPS
• Texas handgun license issued by DPS
• U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
• U.S. military ID card with photo
• U.S. passport (book or card)

Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the approved forms of photo ID can fill out a reasonable impediment declaration (RID) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID. Approved alternate IDs include:

• Certified domestic birth certificate or court admissible birth document
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Government document with your name and an address including your voter registration certificate

To cast a ballot by mail, voters must provide their driver’s license, DPS Personal ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

How to vote on Election Day in Texas

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Each county election offices should have information for polling locations on their respective websites. The Secretary of State’s website will also have information closer to the start of voting. Some locations may still be subject to change, so be sure to check your county’s election information before heading to the polls.

Keep an eye on our Election topic page for all of our latest coverage.