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Vote by Mail

Home Voter Vote by Mail

Voting by Mail

REQUIREMENTS

You may vote early by-mail if you are registered to vote and meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are 65 years or older on Election Day;
  • You are sick or disabled;
  • You will be out of Harris County during the Early Voting period and on Election Day; 
  • You are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; 
  • You are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

REGULAR APPLICATION

Applicants who do not qualify to submit an "Annual" ballot-by-mail application may submit an application for a single election starting the first day of the calendar year (January 1) and not later than the 11th day before Election Day. If the 11th day is a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the first preceding business day.

SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY:

Regular mail:

Harris County Elections Administrator's Office
P.O. Box 1148
Houston, TX 77251-1148

Common or contract carrier:

Harris County Elections Administrator's Office
1001 Preston, 4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002

    Please note, the law has changed. To be effective, an application for ballot by mail submitted by FAX or EMAIL must also be submitted by mail and be received by the early voting clerk not later than the fourth business day after the transmission by fax or email is received. (TEC 84.007).

    Email: [email protected]
    Fax: (713)-755-4983 or (713)-437-8683

      ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR BALLOT BY MAIL (ABBM)

      Applicants who are 65 years of age or older or are disabled qualify to apply for Annual Application for Ballot By Mail (ABBM). Choosing the "annual" option ensures these applicants will receive a mail ballot for all elections held during a calendar year. Annual applications may be submitted starting the first day of a calendar year (January 1) and not later than the 11th day before Election Day.

      Returning a Mail Ballot Application In-Person

      Applicants may drop-off their Mail Ballot Applications in-person at our office on the fourth floor of the Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002. Applicant must be present when dropping off an application. You may not drop off applications in person for anyone else, even if they are a spouse or family member.

      Completing your Ballot

      In the process of voting and returning your mail ballot, make sure to follow the steps below:

      1. Read all the instructions.
      2. Use BLACK or BLUE ink to mark your choices on the ballot.
      3. Place voted ballot in the Ballot Envelope and seal it.
      4. Place Ballot Envelope in the enclosed pre-addressed carrier envelope.
      5. Provide your identification number underneath the flap.
      6. Seal carrier envelope and sign where indicated exactly as you signed your mail ballot application. 
      7. Place appropriate postage and return it.

      Returning Your Ballot

      A completed mail ballot MUST be returned to the Harris County Election Administrator’s Office in the Official Carrier Envelope provided to you. It may be returned in any of the following manners:

      1. Regular residential mail via United States Postal Service;
        1. Ballot must be postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day
      2. In-person drop off at Harris County Elections Administrator's Office (1001 Preston, Houston, Texas 77002) on Election Day only from 7 AM – 7 PM. 
        1. You must present an acceptable form of photo identification
        2. If a voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo identification, the voter may show a List B identification and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID)
        3. Only the voter may deliver their ballot in person
      3. Common or contract carrier; such as personal courier, or FedEx or UPS, or other contracted mail service
        1. Ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day
        2. If the carrier provides receipt mark indicating a time before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, it may be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day.

      Important Notes:

      A voted ballot postmarked by Election Day must be received by the early voting clerk no later than 5 PM on the next business day after Election Day. If there is no postmarked, early voting clerk must receive these ballots by 7 PM on Election Day. Ballots from civilians abroad must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 5th day after Election Day. Ballots from Military voters must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 6th day after Election Day.

      Call: (713)755-6965   

      Email: [email protected]

      Contact Us

      Elections Administrator's Office
      1001 Preston Houston, TX 77002
      (713)755-6965
      [email protected]
      [email protected]

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