Who Can Vote by Mail in Bell County? 4 Fast Facts About Casting Your Ballot

It's National Voter Registration Day, and now more than ever, it's important to make your voice heard about the things that matter to you.

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If you aren't already registered to vote, the deadline to do so for the November election is October 11, 2022.

National Voter Registration Day in Texas

The nonpartisan National Voter Registration Day celebrates democracy in the United States and was first observed in 2012. In the last 10 years, almost 4.7 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday, according to the official website. Texas Secretary of State John Scott provides an overview of voter registration here:

Texas Voting Laws

1) Can felons vote in Texas? According to the Texas Secretary of State, unless they have fully completed their sentence, convicted felons cannot register to vote. This includes incarceration, parole, and supervision, or completing court-ordered probation. Those who have been pardoned can also vote.

2) Can you vote without an ID? Acceptable forms of photo ID to cast a ballot in Texas include:

• Texas driver's license
• Department of Public Safety-issued election ID
• Personal ID cards
• Texas handgun license
• U.S. military ID card
• U.S. passport book or card

If you do not have a photo ID, documents with your name and address can be used, including bank statements, government checks, utility bills, or a voter registration certificate. You also need to fill out a reasonable impediment declaration form.

3) Who can vote by mail in Texas? Voting by mail is restricted to those who are 65 and older, sick or disabled, confined in jail (but otherwise eligible to vote), or will be out of the county during early voting and on election day. Applications to vote by mail must be received no later than 11 days before election day, and can be obtained from the Texas Secretary of State's office or the early voting clerk in each county. You can get an application to vote by mail here.

4) What is not allowed at Texas polling places? Texas law prohibits cellphones, wireless devices, cameras, recorders, laptops, and cameras within the 100-foot limit.  You cannot bring any type of firearm inside polling locations either, according to the Texas State Law Library.