IMPORTANT NOTE: An annual application for a ballot by mail should be submitted in the calendar year for which the applicant wishes to receive ballots.  During a primary election year, you must indicate the party’s primary for which you wish to receive a ballot.  A Ballot by Mail Application is required to receive a ballot for an election.  When calling to request an application by phone, remember to allow enough time for the application to be mailed to you and returned in order to be in the office by the deadline. (must be received by the posted date, not postmarked)

Reasons to vote by mail:

1. 65 years of age or older;

2. Disability (as defined in Texas Election Code 82.002(a), see instruction*. Voter is required to read and comply with this statement: By checking this box, “I affirm that I have a sickness or physical condition that prevents me from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring my health.”

3. Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day

4. Expected Absence from the County (You may apply for a ballot for one election and its resulting runoff, if you dates of absence from the county include both elections)

5. Confined in Jail or Involuntary Civil Commitment (You may only apply for a ballot for one election and any resulting runoff)

              * Instruction:

The State of Texas requires that you provide a reason for voting by mail. Place a checkmark in the box that best describes your reason for voting by mail.

• If you choose 65 Years of Age or Older, you must turn 65 no later than Election Day.

• If you choose Disability, your disability must meet the definition of a disability as described in Section 82.002(a) of the Texas Election Code.

• If you choose Confinement for Childbirth, you expect to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.

• If you choose Expected Absence from the County, you must expect to be absent from the county on Election Day and during the hours of early voting by personal appearance or the remainder of the early voting period after you submit your application. The ballot must be mailed to an address outside the county and you must provide the dates that you will be absent from the county.

• If you choose Confined in Jail/Involuntary Civil Commitment under Chapter 841 of the Health and Safety Code, you must be legally eligible for Early Voting by Mail. At the time your early voting ballot application is submitted, you are either (1) confined in jail serving a misdemeanor sentence for a term that ends on or after Election Day; (2) pending trial after denial of bail; (3) without bail pending an appeal of a felony conviction; (4) pending trial or appeal on a bailable offense for which release on bail before Election Day is unlikely or (5) you are involuntarily civilly committed.

The application must be submitted by one of the following methods:

1. In-Person – Only the applicant may submit his or her own application to the Early Voting Clerk.

2. By Mail – The application may be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service.

3. Common or Contract Carrier – The application may be submitted via a bona fide, for profit carrier.

4. Fax Transmission – Please contact your Early Voting Clerk or the Secretary of State for fax numbers.

5. By email – The application may be submitted via email. Please contact your Early Voting Clerk or the Secretary of State for email addresses.

6. The fax or email must reach the Early Voting Clerk’s office no later than the close of regular business or 12:00 noon, whichever is later on the 11th day before Election Day.

7. IF YOU FAX OR EMAIL THE APPLICATION YOU MUST ALSO PHYSICALLY SEND THE ORIGINAL TO THE EARLY VOTING CLERK SO THAT IT IS RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THE FOURTH BUSINESS DAY AFTER IT WAS RECEIVED BY FAX OR EMAIL.