Ballot By Mail – College Edition
Created by the fabulous Michelle Moon Reinhardt – Be sure to follow Texas Blue Action Democrats website, and on Facebook and Instagram
Are you attending college out of state but want to vote in Texas this fall? There’s a two-step process.
- First, you must complete a ballot-by-mail application and
- Then you’ll receive a ballot that will record your vote.
IMPORTANT: To receive a mail-in ballot, the student must be registered to vote in Travis County.
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM
HOW TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
Voter Information:
Fill this out with your home address – the address you used to register to vote.
IMPORTANT: Include BOTH your Driver’s License number AND the last four digits of your social security number when applying. This is a change in the law designed to reject your application.
Mail my Ballot to:
This is VERY important. If you want to receive your ballot at school (away from home) select “Other Address” and enter your dorm or apartment information. If you do not do this, your ballot will go to your home address. Under that information, be sure to mark “Address Outside the County”
Reason for Voting by Mail:
College Students need to select the 4th box, “Expected Absence from the County” Enter the first date of your fall term and the last date of your fall term. (Even if you might be home for a visit.)
Send me a Ballot for the Following Elections:
College Students – fill out the Right Side of this section. Select November Election (the others don’t apply right now). You do not need to select any other box.
NOTE: College STUDENTS must apply for a ballot EVERY election cycle, meaning every time there’s an upcoming election, you have to resubmit this form. Unfair? Yes, that’s how they keep you from voting.
SIGN & DATE
Sign and date the form. IMPORTANT: the signature on this form will be compared to the signature on your ballot envelope that you will submit. TAKE A PICTURE of this form and your signature so you’re sure to sign the same way when you turn in your ballot.
MANY BALLOTS are rejected because the voter does NOT sign the envelope. Be sure to remember to sign the envelope that contains your ballot when you mail it in the fall. (more below)
MAIL THE FORM
All forms have to be submitted by mail, no exceptions.
Not in Travis County? Find the address to mail your Application for Ballot by Mail here.
In Travis County?
Regular mail: Travis County Clerk, Elections Division
PO BOX 149325
AUSTIN, TX 78714-9325.
IF you FED Ex your form use this address (FedEx, UPS, USPS Express or Priority Mail, etc.):
Travis County Election Division
5501 Airport Blvd, Suite #100
Austin, TX 78751-1410
The form must be received by October 25. Don’t wait!
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GET YOUR BALLOT & VOTE
You will be mailed an absentee ballot in October. Make your selections and seal the envelope provided.
IMPORTANT: SIGN the ballot envelope with the same signature you used on your application form. Provide BOTH your Driver’s License and Social Security digits.
The number one reason ballots are rejected is a failure to complete this step!
The ballot should be mailed back to the Travis County Clerk and received by Election Day!
Track your ballot: You can track your Travis County ballot once it’s mailed to see if it’s been received. (This is for Travis County only.) The Texas Secretary of State also has a ballot tracking system.
Pro Tip: Mail your ballot before Halloween!
Find additional information at the Secretary of State website.