Early Voting for Local Elections and the Special Constitutional Amendment Election Starts April 25!
Grace Chimene | Published on 4/22/2022
Austin, TX - Early voting for the 2022 Local and Special Constitutional Amendment Election begins Monday, April 25th and lasts through Tuesday, May 3rd. Election Day is May 7th, which is also the last day for Vote by Mail ballots to be received at election offices.
The League of Women Voters makes it easy for voters to understand the two proposed constitutional amendments and find other voting information with our nonpartisan election resource VOTE411.org. Voters enter their address to see a simple explanation of the proposed amendments as well as the pros and cons of each. If there is a local League in the community, voters can also find information on local races.
“Voters in Texas need simple, accessible tools to help them navigate the voting process before Election Day,” said Grace Chimene, president League of Women Voters of Texas. “VOTE411 is the nation’s premiere online election resource, and the League of Women Voters of Texas has published our Voter Guide on VOTE411 to serve as a resource for all Texas voters.”
There are two proposed Texas Constitutional Amendments on every voter's ballot. Many voters will also vote in city, county, or school district elections. Find out what will be on your personal ballot at the League of Women Voters’ VOTE411.org. Double check on your school board’s website to see if your district is holding school board or bond elections. Then vote in the May 7th election at your county polling places for local elections and constitutional amendments, and in a few rare instances, at local school district's polling places for school board elections.
During the Primary Election in March, the Vote by Mail process confused many Texas voters. We saw almost 25,000 ballots being rejected, and that number doesn’t even consider those who tried, but didn’t get through the application process. If a voter is eligible and chooses to vote by mail, it is important to remember:
- After completing the Vote by Mail ballot, the voter puts it in the ballot envelope, then places the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope.
- UNDER THE FLAP of the carrier envelope - voters should include the required ID information and their contact information! To be more certain that the ballot will be accepted, voters should include both the ID information AND the last four digits of their Social Security number.
- OVER THE FLAP of the carrier envelope - voters must sign their name!
- There are two elections in May, so at the same time, voters could be holding on to ballots for both the May 7th Special Constitutional Amendment Election and the May 24th Runoff Election. They must be sure to put the ballot for the May 7th election in the ballot and carrier envelopes for the May 7th election, and do the same for the May 24th election. Do not switch the envelopes!
- Ballots must be received at the county election office by 7pm on Election Day. If the ballot is postmarked by 7pm on Election Day, it must be received by 5pm the day after Election Day. Voters can mail their ballot by US Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
To view a step-by-step video on how to fill out your ballot by mail, produced by the League of Women Voters of Texas, visit: bit.ly/lwvtx-ballot-by-mail-info.
“As voters continue to face challenges caused by last year’s changes to election laws, the League takes more seriously than ever our mission of “Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.” We are determined to educate every voter in Texas so they have the knowledge and confidence to vote regardless of impediments put in place, and to hold our state leaders accountable so that every vote is counted. As a nonpartisan organization, the League does not support parties, candidates or proposed amendments, but we provide unbiased, understandable information about what and who is being voted on. VOTE411.org is ready to help Texas voters!" said Grace Chimene, President of the League of Women Voters of Texas.
In addition to VOTE411.org, a printable PDF version of the Voters Guide is at LWVTexas.org. Please share VOTE411.org and the League’s website with friends and family so that ALL Texas voters can be INFORMED voters!