Tuesday, October 11, is the last day to register to vote to be eligible to vote in the November 8 City of Houston and Constitutional Amendments elections.

Some of your clients might not realize that if they move or change their name (i.e., get married or divorced), this information needs to be updated in the voter registration database or they risk being turned away when they go to the polls. The website www.votexas.org has valuable information for those who might have questions about whether or not they may vote on November 8. Please share this information with your clients, as well as with your fellow REALTORS®.

Did you move within your county?

If you moved from one place to another in the same county, you’ll need to notify the Voter Registrar in your county in writing of your new address. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) There are several ways to do this:

    • Correct your current voter registration certificate on the back and return it to the Voter Registrar.
    • Fill out a new voter registration application form and check the “change” box.
    • When you apply for or change your Texas driver’s license, change your voter information at the same time.
    • As long as you reside in the same county, you can change your information online at the Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Name/Address Change website. The screen will prompt you through the process and the changes that you make will be forwarded to your county Voter Registrar for processing.

You will be mailed a new certificate with your new address and be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after you submitted your change. If you miss the 30-day deadline to change information on your voter registration certificate, you may vote in your former precinct as long as you still reside in the political subdivision conducting the election.

Did you move to another county?

If you moved to another county, YOU MUST RE-REGISTER! Fill out and mail a new application, or take it in person, to the Voter Registrar of your new county. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) You will receive a new voter registration certificate 30 days after your application is submitted and accepted.

If you are late to register in your new county, you may be able to vote a “limited” ballot on candidates or issues common between your old and new counties. You may only vote this “limited” ballot after you have moved to your new residence, during the early voting period by mail or personal appearance (not on Election Day) and if:

  • You are a current registered voter in your former county;
  • You would be eligible to vote in your former county on Election Day, if you were still living in that county;
  • You have not re-registered in the new county, or, if you have re-registered, the effective date of the new registration will not be effective on or before Election Day.

Did you change your name?

Promptly notify your county Voter Registrar in writing of the change. There are several ways to do this:

Early Voting begins on October 24 and ends November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Find out if you are registered to vote by visiting www.sos.state.tx.us