HOUSTON —
PLEASE NOTE: This page was geared towards early voting. For information about voting ON November 3, we have our Election Day voting guide here.
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Election Day is November 3. The race to be the next president of the United States headlines the ballot, but the U.S. Senate race between M.J. Hegar and John Cornyn will also be decided. In District 22, it's Troy Nehls against Sri Preston Kulkarni. We're also watching the Lizzie Fletcher/Wesley Hunt race. And the Texas House is also in the balance. On election nights, all results will be posted at KHOU.com/elections.
Below is information you need to know as you prepare to cast your vote. And if you notice any issues at the polls, text us at 713-526-1111 to let us know!
Key dates for the November 3 general elections
- October 13 -- Early voting starts
- October 23 -- Last day to apply for ballot by mail
- October 30 -- Last day of voting early by personal appearance
Last day to receive ballot by mail - November 3 at 7 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked or November 4 at 5 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day
What's on the ballot?
Before you cast your vote, make sure you've reviewed the ballot. Here's a page on the Texas Secretary of State's website where you can see what's on the ballot by county.
Early voting in the 2020 November 3 election
Early voting locations have been announced for Harris County. They launched a new interactive map on which you can check wait times and locations. You can also see the individual locations below, with wait times. And remember -- for early voting, you can vote at any Harris County location.
In Harris County, there are eight locations that will be open for early voting for 24 hours. Those locations are in the tweet below.
More early voting locations and hours. Individual counties may have different early voting hours. Please make sure of the times before heading tot he polls.
What to bring with you to vote
You don't want to get to a polling location and not be ready. There are certain types of ID you need to show before you cast your ballot. We've compiled a list of all of the acceptable ID forms here.
Vote without getting out of your car
In Harris County, voters have the option of drive-thru voting. There are 10 locations around the county where you can take advantage of this.
What to know about mail-in voting in Texas
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there could be a surge in mail-in voting. You have to meet certain criteria to cast your ballot by mail. They are:
- Away from the county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period
- Sick or disabled
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day
- Confined in jail, but eligible to vote
If you vote by mail in Harris County, you can track your ballot here.
Want to earn a little extra cash for the elections?
Harris County is hiring people to work at their polling locations. If you're interested, here's what you need to know.
Race for the White House
Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump goes up against former Vice President and Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the biggest race on the ballot.
In 2016, Trump took Texas by 9 percentage points over Hillary Clinton en route to his White House win. This time around, early voting could play a pivotal role.
"I wouldn't be shocked to see 70 to 75% of votes cast before Nov. 3," KHOU political analyst Bob Stein said shortly after Labor Day.
For this election, Gov. Greg Abbott added six more days to early voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stein says this election may not be decided on Election Day. It could drag on.
"Trust the county clerks and the election officials in your county or state," he said. "And vote as early as you can, and if you can vote by mail return your ballot as soon as you've made a decision."
U.S. Senate
Sen. John Cornyn has represented Texas since 2002. M.J. Hegar, on the Democratic ticket, has never held office. She defeated Texas Sen. Royce West of Dallas in the runoff.
Congressional District 22
Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls is the Republican nominee, going up against Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni in the seat vacated by Pete Olson. It's a district that has been Republican for so many years.
"This is a district that’s skewing Democratic," KHOU political analyst Bob Stein said.
Stein is basing that on new voter registration numbers.
"I could see new registered voters in precincts that are overwhelming Democratic among voters well below the age of 45, many of them females and many of them non-Anglo,"he said.
Now this district, which includes most of Fort Bend County and parts of Harris and Brazoria Counties, is seen as a battleground.
Congressional District 7
Republican challenger Wesley Hunt takes on Republican incumbent Lizzie Fletcher in the U.S. House District 7 race.