Election Day 2021: Here's what you need to know as you head to the polls

Texans are heading to the polls to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2. Voters will be deciding on municipal and local ballot measures and their corresponding city council and mayoral races. There are also school board measures for some.

Statewide, voters will have a chance to decide on eight amendments to the Texas Constitution, addressing issues of eligibility of judicial candidates, homestead tax exemptions for surviving spouses, and ballot measures proposed in response to pandemic-related restrictions on worship services and nursing homes.

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But before casting their ballots, there are a few things Texans should know.

Am I registered to vote?

Before you head to the polls, it's important to make sure you're registered to vote.

To check your registration, click here.

The deadline to register to vote in the November 2021 election has already passed.

Where can I vote?

In Texas, you can vote at any polling location in your county of registration if it participates in the county-wide polling place program (CWPP). If your county does not participate in the CWPP, you can only vote at the voting precinct assigned to you.

Click here to see your "My Voter Page" which will give you all the details on where you can vote.

When are polls open on Election Day?

The polls in Texas are open from 7 a.m. on the date of the election until 7 p.m. Anyone in line at the time the polls close will be allowed to cast their ballot.

What photo ID do I need to vote?

In order to vote in person during early voting or on election day, Texas voters will be asked to present an acceptable form of photo ID. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

  -  Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

  -  Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

  -  Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

  -  Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

  -  United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph

  -  United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

  -  United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one:

  -  Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate

  -  Copy of or original current utility bill

  -  Copy of or original bank statement

  -  Copy of or original government check

  -  Copy of or original paycheck

  -  Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

For more information on acceptable forms of ID and what you can do if you do not have one, click here.

What's on the ballot?

There are eight Texas state propositions on the ballot. Below is a brief explanation of each as outlined by the League of Women Voters.

Proposition 1 - Raffles: This amendment would add professional rodeo charitable foundations that are sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to the list of similar foundations for other professional sports associations that are authorized to hold raffles. These raffles may be held at rodeos in the state of Texas.

Proposition 2 - County Government: The Texas Constitution allows the legislature to authorize cities to issue bonds or notes to finance development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in "unproductive, underdeveloped or blighted areas". Proposition 2 would amend the Texas Constitution to add counties to the political entities that can issue bonds or notes for that purpose, and to pledge increases in property tax revenues to repay the bonds or notes. If the county issues bonds for transportation improvements, the county may not:

• Allocate more than 65% of the property tax increases annually to repay the bonds;
• Use the bond proceeds to finance toll road construction, operation, maintenance or right-of-way acquisition

Proposition 3 - Religious Services: The proposed amendment would add a new section to Article 1 of the Texas Constitution, the Texas "Bill of Rights." It would prohibit state or local governments from prohibiting or limiting religious services.

This proposed amendment is a reaction to restrictions put in place by the governor and some local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions required religious services to be held remotely or limited the number of people who could attend in person. The governor’s restrictions were only in place for twelve days. He then declared that religious services are essential services and issued guidelines that said, "Houses of worship should conduct as many activities as possible remotely, and should follow federal guidelines when providing services in person."

Proposition 4 - Judges: The proposed amendment would change the eligibility requirements for judges to run for office for the following:

• Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and the regional Courts of Appeals: Currently, the candidate for these courts must have been a practicing lawyer for at least ten years, or a practicing lawyer or judge of a court of record for a combined total of at least ten years.The proposed amendment would add the requirement that the candidate be licensed in the state of Texas for at least ten years, and defines the court of record as a state court or county court established by the Legislature. Also, during the ten-year period, the candidate’s license to practice law must not have been revoked or suspended.
• The proposed amendment would add the requirement that the candidate be licensed in the state of Texas for at least ten years, and defines the court of record as a state court or county court established by the Legislature. Also, during the ten-year period, the candidate’s license to practice law must not have been revoked or suspended.
• State District Judge: Currently, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen licensed to practice law in Texas and have been a practicing lawyer for at least four years, or a practicing lawyer or judge of a Texas court for a combined total of four years.The proposed amendment would add the requirement that a district judge candidate be a Texas resident, and would change the four-year requirement to eight years. Also, during the specified eight-year period, the candidate’s license to practice law must not have been revoked or suspended.
• The proposed amendment would add the requirement that a district judge candidate be a Texas resident, and would change the four-year requirement to eight years. Also, during the specified eight-year period, the candidate’s license to practice law must not have been revoked or suspended.

Proposition 5 - Judges: The State Commission on Judicial Conduct now accepts complaints against, and investigates and takes actions concerning, alleged misconduct by judges currently in office. This proposed amendment would extend the Commission’s power to judicial candidates.

Proposition 6 - Caregiver Visits: During the COVID-19 pandemic, family and other caregivers were restricted from access to nursing homes and other group facilities. Th is proposed constitutional amendment would allow a resident to name a person to be their essential caregiver, and visits from their essential caregiver would become a resident’s constitutional right. The Legislature may provide guidelines for caregiver visitation policies and procedures.

Proposition 7 - Property Tax Exemption: This proposition would update the Constitution to allow surviving spouses of disabled persons a limit on school district property taxes. Currently, this limitation is provided to homeowners over 65 years old and to disabled persons. To be eligible for this limit, the spouse must be at least 55 years old when the disabled person died and still live in the home.

In 2019, the Tax Code was updated to allow this tax limitation for surviving spouses of disabled persons, but the Legislature failed to authorize a proposed constitutional amendment. Some counties followed the Tax Code and some did not. For those that did not, eligible surviving spouses may be due a refund.

Proposition 8 - Property Tax/Military: Currently the surviving spouse of a member of the military who is killed "in action" is entitled to an exemption from property taxes. This exemption is for the property tax on the market value of the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse has not remarried.

This amendment would expand eligibility for the same exemption from property taxes for spouses of members of the military who are killed "in the line of duty," rather than "in action (or combat)." This means that if their death was due to injuries that are not combat-related (such as in a training exercise), it was still as a result of their duties in the military.

Locally, voters will decide on their corresponding city council and mayoral races, school board measures, and more. People in The Woodlands are even deciding whether the township should become a city.

For more information, visit VoteTexas.Gov.