Elections 101 FAQ

🤔 What am I actually voting for this year?

In 2026, you aren't voting for President, but you are voting for races that directly impact your daily life here in Texas. This includes:

• Statewide Roles: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General (they run the state).
• State Legislature: State Senators and Representatives (they write Texas laws).
• County Leadership: County Judges, Commissioners, and Sheriffs (they fix your local roads, manage property taxes, and handle local law enforcement).

These local and state officials have much more direct control over your schools, roads, and taxes than the Federal government does.

⏰ How does Early Voting work? Do I have to go to a specific place?

Early voting is the easiest way to vote! In Hidalgo County, you can go to ANY early voting location in the entire county—you are not restricted to just the one near your house.

Lines are usually much shorter during early voting. If you wait until Election Day, you might have to wait in a longer line, though you can still vote at any polling center in the county on Election Day thanks to Countywide Polling.

🪪 What do I need to bring with me to vote?

You need to bring one of the 7 approved forms of photo ID. The most common are:

• Texas Driver's License
• Texas Personal ID Card (issued by DPS)
• U.S. Passport (book or card)
• U.S. Military ID with photo

Forgot your ID or lost it? Don't panic. You can still vote by signing a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" at the polling place and showing a supporting document (like a utility bill, bank statement, or your voter registration certificate).

📱 Can I bring my phone or a cheat sheet into the voting booth?

Phones are NOT allowed to be used within 100 feet of the voting booths. You cannot pull your phone out to check who you wanted to vote for.

Paper notes ARE allowed! You can absolutely bring a printed sample ballot, a handwritten list of candidates, or a newspaper clipping into the voting booth with you. We highly recommend writing down your choices on paper before you go.

✉️ I'm busy. Can I just vote by mail?

In Texas, you can only vote by mail if you meet one of these specific requirements:

• You are 65 years of age or older
• You are sick or disabled
• You will be out of the county for all of Early Voting AND Election Day
• You are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

If you meet one of these, you must apply for a mail-in ballot through the County Elections Department well before Election Day.

❌ What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

If you accidentally vote for the wrong person or make an error before casting your ballot, do not submit it! Just raise your hand and tell an election worker. They will void your ballot and give you a brand new one. You get up to three tries to get it right.

🚫 I heard "Straight-Ticket" voting is gone. What does that mean?

In the past, you could push one button to vote for every Democrat on the ballot. Texas law banned this. Now, you must go down the ballot and click the box for every single race individually. Because our ballots can be very long (sometimes 40+ races!), it is critical that you don't stop halfway. Keep clicking until you reach the end of the ballot!