Accessible Voting in Texas
For the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 General Election in Texas
- You must be registered to vote.
- Early voting locations are open before Election Day
- You must have a specific reason (including disability) to vote by mail.
- Check to see if an accessible vote-by-mail system is available.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
Accessible Voting Tips
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
If you need more information or assistance using your right to vote, these organizations can help
- Visit your state Services Available to Voters with Disabilities in Texas page or call (512) 463-5650 or 1 (800) 252-VOTE(8683) for the options available in your state.
- Contact your local election office for help voting and details about local support for accessible voting.
- Your local Center for Independent Living has information and other support.
- Call your state National Disability Rights Network (NRDN) Protection & Advocacy office if someone is interfering with your right to vote.
- If you are a first-time voter or moved recently, check the voter ID requirements in your state. VoteRiders has information about the types of identification accepted.
- You can also call 1-800-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting.
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to:
- Vote privately and independently
- At an accessible polling place
- Using an accessible voting system
If you need assistance you can:
- Ask an election worker, or
- Bring someone to help you
You may request your local election officials to tell you about any voting aids, voting assistance, and absentee ballot procedures that are available.
Election officials must make any reasonable accommodations you need to vote. This might include
- A place to sit if you have trouble standing
- A quiet, private place to vote
You cannot be refused the right to vote because an election worker thinks your disability means you are not qualified to vote.
Open the sections on this page to learn more about accessible options for early voting, voting in person on election day, and voting by mail.
Accessible voting features in Texas for voters with disabilities
- Sign up each year to receive a ballot by mail for all elections
- Check with your local election office to see if an accessible vote-by-mail system is available
Ask your local election office about other support for accessible voting, like:
- Election and voting information in large print, audio, or Braille versions.
- Curbside or drive-up voting, so you don’t have to get out of your car.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program.
- An opportunity to practice using the accessible voting system.
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill.
- How to get assistance in marking and casting your ballot.
- Other services or assistance for voters with disabilities.
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 24 through November 4, early voting is available at your county's early voting center. These centers are open on Monday through Friday during business hours.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
You can drop off your mail ballot at your local elections office on Election Day.
Find your polling place.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Texas are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
AutoMARK
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on the front of the device.
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using an AutoMARK
- Short video from Wisconsin Elections (YouTube 3:55)
- Video from NY City Board of Elections (YouTube 13:47)
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
ES&S ExpressTouch
Electronic voting system.
Voters mark their choices on a touchscreen.
Used for curbside voting.
Ballots are cast electronically.
Hart InterCivic eSlate
Electronic voting system.
It has audio and tactile controls, using the Hart move wheel.
Ballots are cast electronically.
It may have a paper audit record.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 4:42)
- How to Vote eSlate with VVPAT (YouTube 6:05)
Hart InterCivic Verity Duo
A ballot marking device.
It has a touch screen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart move wheel.
The printed ballot is a list of selections read by OCR.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Duo
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 1:25)
- How to vote on the Duo (YouTube 2:09)
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch
Electronic voting system.
It has a touch screen, audio,and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
Ballots are cast electronically.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 1:30)
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch Writer
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
The ballot is cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 2:29)
- Longer instructional video from Michigan (YouTube 11:36)
- Information about Verity Touch Writer from Pennsylvania
- Verity Touch Writer product page from Hart InterCivic
iVotronic
An electronic voting system.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on the system case.
Some systems have a paper record for review behind glass before casting the ballot.
Learn more about using the AVC Edge
- iVotronic voting process (YouTube 3:39)
- iVotronic system introduction from Disability Rights Arkansas (YouTube 13:54)
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Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 8 and received by 5:00 pm on November 9 for mailed ballots.
How to get your ballot
- Voters must have an excuse to vote by mail.
- Ask your local election office if voters with disabilities can request or receive a ballot for more than one election.
To get your ballot you can:
- Download, print, and mail a request form.
- You must provide the number from your state-issued photo ID, such as your driver's license.
- If you don't have a state-issued photo ID, you can use your Social Security Number.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At your local elections office
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
If you mail your ballot, make sure it is postmarked by Election Day.
Put enough postage on the envelope.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Have a witness sign the form on the envelope.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- Voters with disabilities can appoint someone to return their ballot for them. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is no statewide accessible vote by mail program in Texas
Ask your local election office what options are available to help you vote by mail. For example:
- Home visits by election workers who can help you complete your vote by mail ballot.
Learn more about accessible voting options in Texas