Election Day is coming and it’s time that we as Texas voters put together a safe voting plan not just for ourselves but for our communities amidst a still present need for COVID-19 precautions and safety measures.

SEE THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S VOTING SAFETY ADVISORY HERE!

We encourage those who are eligible to vote by mail to submit their application for that ballot by mail ahead of the October 23rd deadline. (Application must be received, not postmarked, by October 23rd.)

PRINT THAT APPLICATION + SEE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION AT THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S WEBSITE HERE -

A voter is eligible to vote by mail if

they are 65 years or older;
have an illness or disability;
will be out of the county on election day and during in-person early voting;
or are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

COVID-19 RISK:

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a lack of immunity to COVID-19 does not, by itself, qualify someone to vote by mail in Texas. The court did make clear that voters must discern for themselves the condition of their health and health history to determine if they qualify to vote by mail under the illness or disability claim.
We encourage voters to check with their local election officials for updates and additional helpful information.

(For more in the latest to help make voting better and safer in Texas - TPAN Joins In Urging Governor Abbott To Secure The Vote.)

Early voting begins October 13th and will go through October 30th.
We strongly encourage voters to take advantage of the extended early vote period to give you more flexibility in getting your ballot cast!

LIVE IN TRAVIS COUNTY? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WAIT TIME MAP HERE SO YOU CAN FIND A POLLING PLACE THAT WORKS FOR YOUR SCHEDULE.

Additional ways to help you plan for a safe vote:

When showing up to vote in-person, remember to maintain proper social distancing (ideally 6 ft distance) between you and other voters.
Please wear a mask or face covering!
The Secretary of State is advising voters to come prepared with their own hand sanitizer and to sanitize their hands before going into vote as well as upon exiting the polling place after voting.
Show up prepared with your own pen or marking instrument for checking in and to mark your ballot.
Limit your contact with other voters and polling place staff.
Wear sunscreen and/or consider bringing an umbrella to provide shade in case you are in line outside.
Please report long lines, long wait times and any questions or issues you may have with voting to the Election Protection hotline (866-OUR-VOTE)!
If you contract COVID-19 past the deadline to apply for vote by mail, please contact your county elections office to inquire about an Application for Emergency Early Voting Ballot Due to Sickness or Physical Disability.
Be mindful that if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on the day you are trying to vote, please wear a mask or face covering, limit your contact with others, request curbside voting and communicate to the polling place staff there. If possible, contact your county elections office with any questions you may have before you go vote.

See the Texas Secretary of State’s health protocol for voters in 2020 —

CHECK OUT IMPORTANT 2020 ELECTION DATES FOR TEXAS

VISIT THE VOTER HUB FOR LOTS OF OTHER HELPFUL VOTER INFO —

Check out our Vote Safe Texas toolkit and help promote safe voting for your fellow Texans!

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Texas Progressive Action Network is a people powered nonprofit committed to advancing voter education and good public policy in Texas through advocacy and outreach.

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Texas Progressive Action Network
https://www.txprogressiveaction.com/
https://twitter.com/TX_PAN

Vote Safely On Election Day 2020!