Voting
**November General Election Dates**
Dates regarding early voting and ballot by mail have been impacted. These dates are:
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 5, 2020
- Application for Ballot-By-Mail deadline: October 23, 2020
- Early voting: October 13 – 30, 2020
- Ballot By Mail return date: November 3, 2020 by 7pm
- Election Day: November 3, 2020
For resources for election officials and polling site workers on the rights of voters with disabilities, polling place accessibility, how to interact with voters with disabilities, and more, see our Election Workers Resource Page.
Resources for People with Disabilities
Disability Rights Texas employs staff specialists responsible for a wide variety of activities such as training people with disabilities on voting rights, surveying polling places, working with election officials, and responding to legislative inquiries. In addition to these year-round activities, DRTx runs a special toll-free Voter Rights Hotline to answer questions, respond to legal violations, and troubleshoot problems.
We help ensure that Texans with disabilities can:
- Register to vote
- Access polling places
- Cast a ballot
- File a complaint if excluded from any part of the voting process
Problems voting or registering to vote? Questions about voters with disabilities?
Call our hotline at 1-888-796-VOTE (8683)
(Please note that this phone number is for voting issues only and not for service requests.)
These resources are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Featured Resources
Your Voting Rights & Accommodations
Your Voting Rights & Accommodations Created 9/16/2020 Publication Code: HA32 This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. Alternative Voting Options If you cannot vote in-person at the polling site on Election Day, you may find it easier to use one of the following alternative voting methods: Curbside Voting is available… Continue reading Your Voting Rights & Accommodations
Voting Rights of People with Disabilities
You have the right to vote whether you have a disability or not, as long as you are registered to vote in Texas. If your voting rights are violated because of a disability, contact Disability Rights Texas at 1-888-796-VOTE (8683).This handout provides information on the rights of voters with disabilities. Continue reading Voting Rights of People with Disabilities
Handouts
ExpressVote Voting System
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 9/2/2020 Publication Code: HA31 This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. ExpressVote Voting System Overview Features of the ExpressVote Multilingual Touch Screen and Display: Allows voters to easily make vote selections and review their selection Instruction Panel: A visual guide that shows voters how… Continue reading ExpressVote Voting System
HART Touch DRE Instructions
Disability Rights Texas Handout Created 9/2/2020 Publication Code: HA30 This handout can be made available in Braille or audio file upon request. HART Touch DRE Instructions Enter your access code To start your ballot, enter each number of your access code, one at a time. You may use the touchscreen; or You may use the… Continue reading HART Touch DRE Instructions
COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting
This handout attempts to answer questions people with disabilities might have related to voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific topics covered include election dates, voting by mail, and early voting. Continue reading COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting
Read more about COVID-19 Pandemic and Questions about Voting.
Alternative Voting Options
Alternatives for people without access to traditional voting methods. Continue reading Alternative Voting Options
Understanding Your Texas Voter Registration Certificate
This handout on Understanding Your Texas Voter Registration Certificate © LWV-Richardson 2005 Continue reading Understanding Your Texas Voter Registration Certificate
Read more about Understanding Your Texas Voter Registration Certificate.
Understanding HB 658 for Residential Care Facilities
Under a new state law (House Bill 658), when residential care facilities (RCFs) request five or more absentee ballots, counties are required to send election judges to deliver the ballots during early voting and oversee voting at those homes, providing assistance if necessary. This handout provides information to help RCFs with the new process. Continue reading Understanding HB 658 for Residential Care Facilities
Read more about Understanding HB 658 for Residential Care Facilities.
Polling Place Accessibility Survey Short Version
A brief survey for voters, poll workers, or election officials to complete to determine if their polling site is accessible to people with disabilities. Continue reading Polling Place Accessibility Survey Short Version
Read more about Polling Place Accessibility Survey Short Version.
Accessible Voting for People with Visual Disabilities
The eSlate is a direct record electronic machine that any voter may use though it is provided to allow voters with disabilities, including those who are blind, mobility impaired or lack upper-body dexterity, to vote privately and independently. The eSlate will be in a booth that is wheelchair accessible. This handout gives specific instructions for eSlate users who have a visual impairment and who will be using the audio function to cast their ballot. Continue reading Accessible Voting for People with Visual Disabilities
Read more about Accessible Voting for People with Visual Disabilities.
eSlate Instructions for Use
Instructions for using an eSlate. Continue reading eSlate Instructions for Use
Voting Machine Accessibility Features
List of links to various YouTube videos that demonstrate the use of voting machine accessibility features for people with disabilities. Continue reading Voting Machine Accessibility Features
Voter ID Exemption – Proving Disability
If you are a voter with a disability that does not have a photo ID, find out how you can get a permanent exemption from the photo ID requirement. Continue reading Voter ID Exemption – Proving Disability
Basic Guide to Polling Place Accessibility
How to check if a polling place is accessible and in compliance with the law. Continue reading Basic Guide to Polling Place Accessibility
Polling Place Accessibility — Ensuring Effective Interaction
Disability Rights Texas Handout Last updated: 8/9/2014 Publication Code: HA06 This handout is available in Braille and/or on audio tape upon request. Polling Place Accessibility — Ensuring Effective Interaction Requirements: Doors, entrances and exits used to enter or to leave the polling place must have a minimum width of 32 inches. Any curb next to… Continue reading Polling Place Accessibility — Ensuring Effective Interaction
Read more about Polling Place Accessibility — Ensuring Effective Interaction.
Provisional Ballots
When and how to use a provisional ballot in Texas. Continue reading Provisional Ballots
Voting Rights for People with Disabilities Picture Book
This easy-to-read book provides people with disabilities information about their voting rights. Continue reading Voting Rights for People with Disabilities Picture Book
Read more about Voting Rights for People with Disabilities Picture Book.
How to Register to Vote in Texas
Information on how to register to vote in Texas. Continue reading How to Register to Vote in Texas
Voter ID in Texas
What identification you need to vote in Texas, and what to do if you are a person with a disability who does not have one of the required photo IDs. Continue reading Voter ID in Texas
Publications
Investigative Report – Web Failures: How County Voting Websites Leave Voters with Disabilities in the Dark
To request this publication in Braille or as an audio file, contact us. Disclaimer: Disability Rights Texas strives to update its materials on an annual basis, and this publication is based upon the law at the time it was written. The law changes frequently and is subject to various interpretations by different courts. Future changes in… Continue reading Investigative Report – Web Failures: How County Voting Websites Leave Voters with Disabilities in the Dark
Videos
Voting Rights of People with Disabilities
Disclaimer: Disability Rights Texas strives to update its materials on an annual basis, and this video is based upon the law at the time it was created. The law changes frequently and is subject to various interpretations by different courts. Future changes in the law may make some information in this video inaccurate. The video is… Continue reading Voting Rights of People with Disabilities
Why Should People With Disabilities Vote?
… Continue reading Why Should People With Disabilities Vote?
External Links
- 2020 Election Vote for Access Video Series
- Early Voting Information
- Find Out If You Are Registered to Vote
- List of county election officials
- Request a voter registration application
- Request an application for ballot by mail
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission
A comprehensive list of resources for voters with disabilities
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