Voter Registration FAQ
I am not sure if I am registered to vote, where can I confirm that I am registered to vote in Texas?
You can confirm your registration status by clicking here.You can also call the Bexar County Elections Office to verify your registration status.
WHAT DOES A VOTER REGISTRATION CARD LOOK LIKE?
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER 3rd ELection?
October 5, 2020
DO I NEED TO REGISTER/RE-REGISTER IF I HAVE MOVED?
1. Moved within the same county/precinct listed on your voter registration certificate, you can change your address by either:
2. Moved from another County:
You must re-register. Refer to Register to Vote in Texas above for instructions. You'll be registered to vote 30 days after submitting your application, and your new county voter registration official will mail you a new voter registration certificate.
- Using the state's online Voter Name and Address Change.
- Changing your address on the back of your current voter registration certificate and mailing it to your voter registration official.
- Completing a new voter registration application, noting your new address, and mailing it to your voter registration official. (Click here for instructions on obtaining a new application.)
- Changing your voter registration information with your local Texas Department of Safety (DPS) office whenever you apply for or update your existing driver's license.
2. Moved from another County:
You must re-register. Refer to Register to Vote in Texas above for instructions. You'll be registered to vote 30 days after submitting your application, and your new county voter registration official will mail you a new voter registration certificate.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER TO VOTE?
- Complete a voter registration application card online from the Texas Secretary of State website to be printed, signed, and mailed.
- Call the Voter Registration office at 210-335-VOTE (8683) and request a voter registration application to be sent to you to be filled out, signed, and mailed.
- You can also find voter registration applications at libraries, government offices, or high schools to be filled out, signed, and mailed.
Fill out, sign and mail the form to:
Voter Registration Office
1103 S. Frio, Ste. 100
San Antonio, TX 78207
Do I need to pick a party when I register to vote?
No, in Texas you can register to vote without choosing a political party.
Election Day FAQ
When is Election Day?
Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The hours of voting on Election Day are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE DO I VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?
If you are a registered voter, you can vote at any polling location in Bexar County.
What do I need to bring to the Polls?
You must present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of Photo ID listed below:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
What if I don’t have an acceptable form of ID?
You can click here to see a list of supporting forms of ID that can be presented if you do not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one.
AM I REQUIRED TO VOTE FOR EVERYTHING ON THE BALLOT?
No, you do not have to select a candidate for each public office or answer every proposition on the ballot.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO VOTE?
You must be 18 years old by Election Day to vote and you must be a registered voter. If you wish, you may pre-register as long as you are 17 years and 10 months or older. You must register to vote by October 5, 2020.
Can I vote by MAIL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS?
According to the Secretary of State Website to be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:
- be 65 years or older
- be sick or disabled
- be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
- be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible
When is Early Voting for the upcoming NOVEMBER 3rd ELECTION?
Early voting takes place from Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – Friday, October 30, 2020.
WHERE DO I VOTE DURING EARLY VOTING?
A registered voter during early voting may vote at any specified polling location in Bexar County. To find an early voting location near you, click here.
CAN I GET TIME OFF WORK TO VOTE?
Yes, Texas state law requires employers to give employees time off to vote.
Is straight party voting allowed in Texas?
Straight-ticket option will no longer be an option in 2020, you will have to manually select a candidate for each individual election.
Local Election FAQ
When do I vote for my local City Councilman and the Mayor?
The City of San Antonio conducts its elections on the first Saturday of May during every odd year.
How long do members of City Council and the Mayor serve?
A single term for both the Mayor and members of City Council is two years. The maximum amount of time they can serve is 4 terms (8 years).
Is the Election for City Council and the Mayor partisan or non-partisan?
The City of San Antonio’s election for Mayor and City Council are non-partisan, meaning each candidate does not identify with a political party on the ballot.
Where can I find out which City Council district I reside in?
You can find out which City Council district you reside in by clicking here.
If I do not live in the San Antonio city limits, can I cast a ballot for a candidates running for Mayor or City Council District
No, you must live within the San Antonio city limits in order to vote in the election.
Key Election Terms
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Charter Amendment - Legislation that changes how government runs.
City Bond Rating- 3 agencies determine a city’s bond rating based on several factors including credit risk, future performance, and major corporate events. If a city has a higher bond rating, they can borrow more money and have lower interest rates on borrowed money. Essentially a credit score for the city. City Manager: The CEO of the city. This position is appointed by the city council and is in charge of the city budget, managing property taxes, retaining the city bond rating, and organizing projects. Electoral College: Process established in the U.S. Constitution for the election of President and Vice President of the United States. The process consists of small groups of appointed representatives, electors, from each state and the District of Columbia. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Impasse: A time in a negotiation in which no progress is possible, brings the process to a stop. Non-partisan Election: Candidates are listed on the ballot with no indication of their political party. Ordinance: City rules/regulations that can be implemented by popular vote or city council vote. Partisan Election: Candidates are listed on the ballot with indication of their political party. Popular Vote: Method of voting where the candidate with the most votes of population voting (San Antonio for Mayor, Texas for Governor, etc.) will win the election, no electoral college. |
Primary Election: An election to determine who runs as the representative for each political party.
Runoff Election: If no candidate receives a majority of all voters (over 50%), then the two candidates who received the most votes will have another vote (the runoff election), whoever wins this second election wins. Super Majority: A majority required for a vote/election more than the typical 50%. Some ordinances require a super majority (2/3) from the San Antonio City Council, for example. Term length: The number of years that someone can hold a government position.
Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office: The General Land Office manages state lands, operates the Alamo, helps Texans recovering from natural disasters, helps fund Texas public education through the Permanent School Fund, provides benefits to Texas Veterans, and manages the vast Texas coast. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: The Comptroller’s office serves virtually every citizen in the state. As Texas’ chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer and purchasing manager, the agency is responsible for writing the checks and keeping the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government. |
Texas Governor: Head of executive branch in Texas. Powers include signing or vetoing bills passed by Legislature, commander in chief of state’s military forces, assembling special sessions of the Legislature, estimating amount of money required to be raised by taxation.
Texas Attorney General: Main responsibilities are to defend Texas constitution and laws and to represent the state in court. Provides legal counsel for governor, the Legislature, and agencies of the state. Texas Lieutenant Governor: Second highest position in executive branch of Texas, controls work of the Texas Senate and budgeting process. Texas Railroad Commissioner: The Railroad Commission of Texas was established in 1891 under a constitutional and legislative mandate to prevent discrimination in railroad charges and establish reasonable tariffs. United States Senate: Upper chamber of the United States Congress, which consist of 100 members and the Vice President, who is the President of the Senate. It is composed of Senators, who serve six-year terms with each state being equally represented by two senators, regardless of its population. United States House of Representatives: Lower chamber of the United States Congress, composed of Representatives who represent congressional districts that are allocated to each of the 50 states on a basis of population as measured by the U.S. Census. The total number of Representatives is 435, who serve two-year terms. |
