Check Polling Station Wait Times!

Check the early voting dashboard to see how long the line is before you go!
https://www.livevoterturnout.com/tarrant-may-01-2021/Early%20Voting%20Dashboard.html

What will I be voting on?  What will my ballot look like?

Not all ballots are the same.  Who you may vote for in local or statewide races depends on where you live.

To download your sample ballot, which shows exactly which candidates and propositions you’ll be voting on in the upcoming primaries, follow these steps:

1Visit https://gisit.tarrantcounty.com/TCVL/
(opens in new tab).
2Click OK to close the information box.
3In the box that appears in the upper left-hand corner, fill in your last and first name, and your birth date, then click Search.
4Your information should appear, along with the districts, precincts, and office positions you are represented by.

(In the unlikely event there are multiple people with the same name and birth date, you'll see a list. Select the correct person.)

Click on any blue underlined number to see more information about that office.
5About halfway down in the "Tarrant County Voter Lookup" box, you'll see "Election Information."

Check that you are selecting the correct election date, then select the ballot you want. You will see a "Download" button to download the ballot as a PDF file.

Once you have your sample ballot, you can use it to research who you want to vote for in the primaries. You can even print it out and highlight or circle who you want to vote for, and take it with you into the voting booth.

Where do I vote?

Voting locations in Tarrant County are now called Voting Centers.  Registered voters can vote at any Voting Center.

Use Tarrant County’s voter lookup tool to find the voting locations closest to your address.

6Follow the steps above to get to your voter information.

At the bottom of the "Election Information" section there are two choices. Choose "Early Voting Locations" or "Election Day Polling Locations" to see where to go vote!

Ballots By Mail

You may physically turn in a mail-in ballot, rather than returning it by mail.  Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared that there may be only one place in each county where you can drop off a filled-in mail-in ballot.  In Tarrant County that location is:

Tarrant County Elections
2700 Premier St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76111

There is an option to drive through to drop off your ballot.

Track your Ballot By Mail

7If you are eligible to vote by mail and have requested a ballot, something new has been added to your online lookup. You can now track the progress of your mail-in ballot by clicking on "View Ballot By Mail Information."
A box will appear showing the progress of your ballot.

See video demonstrating this process:

IMPORTANT: If your ballot is rejected by the Ballot Board, we've been told you will receive a letter stating that. However, there is not going to be a way to fix whatever the issue was. So this is a tracking tool only.

Alternatively, you can check the Ballot by Mail Tracker.

If you have questions that are not answered by the information above, visit the  Tarrant County Elections, Early Voting web page or the  Tarrant County Elections, Election Day Voting in Person web page.   (See who’s eligible to vote by mail and how to get a ballot below.)

How do the new voting machines work?

Tarrant County is now using new voting machines that use a paper ballot that is electronically counted.  This means there is both electronic counting of the results and a paper trail for audit purposes.

To see how the voting machines work, visit http://access.tarrantcounty.com/en/news/2019/tarrant-county-approved-for-countywide-polling-places.html.

What to take with you to vote

Generally, you must have a photo ID that is current or has expired by no more than four years. These are the acceptable forms of ID:

  • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS (find more information about how to get one of these here: http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/electionID.htm
  • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
  • Texas license to carry a handgun 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

If you do not have one of these forms of ID when you go to the polls, you may present a supporting form of ID, such as:

  • Valid voter registration certificate
  • Certified birth certificate (must be an original)
  • Copy of or original current utility bill
  • Copy of or original bank statement
  • Copy of or original government check
  • Copy of or original paycheck
  • Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)

If you present a supporting form of ID, you will be required to fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, stating that you have a good reason that you are unable to obtain the above forms of ID and stating that you are the same person on the supporting ID you are providing.

Here is the Reasonable Impediment Declaration form:

If you have children, note that the Texas Election Code says in Sec 64.002 (b): “A child under 18 years of age may accompany the child’s parent to a voting station.”  Here’s the document.

What NOT to take with you to vote

No campaign materials are allowed within a certain distance of any polling location.  This includes signs, buttons, stickers…even that t-shirt with a candidate’s name on it.  So be careful.  Don’t lose your opportunity to vote because you’re dressed inappropriately.  🙂

Using cell phones or other electronic devices

According to the Texas election code, cell phones or other wireless or recording devices are not to be used within 100 feet of a polling place.  (Note that the restriction is on using these items, not just having them.)  For details, see https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/certain-activities-in-vicinity-of-pp.shtml.

Applying for a mail-in ballot

You may request a ballot by mail or download one from the internet if any of these apply:

  • You will be away from your county on Election Day and during the early voting period
  • You are sick or disabled
  • You are 65 years of age or older on Election Day
  • You are confined in jail (but otherwise eligible to vote)

Here is the application form:

Completed, signed applications may be submitted by mail or fax, or by emailing a scan of the completed application. Please note that faxed or emailed applications will only be accepted if the application is also mailed, and received within 4 days of the original fax/email.

Send completed applications here:

MAILING ADDRESS

Early Voting Clerk
Tarrant County Elections
PO Box 961011
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0011

PHYSICAL ADDRESS

Tarrant County Elections
2700 Premier St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
Phone: 817-831-8683
Voting Information: 817-831-6161
Fax: 817-831-6118

Email: votebymail@tarrantcounty.com

Have special needs?

For a quick overview, see: http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/elections/Voter-Information/Voter-with-Special-Needs.html

For a complete rundown of all rules and accommodations available for special needs voters, see: http://www.votetexas.gov/voters-with-special-needs/