The time to vote for the 2024 election is coming up with the last day to register being Oct. 7. However, it may be difficult for some people to travel to the polls due to a disability, age or distance, so mail-in voting serves are an alternative option for those who qualify.
To qualify for a mail-in ballot, voters should be 65 years of age or older on Election Day, sick or disabled, expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, absent from the county of registration during the Early Voting period and on Election Day, civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, or confined in jail, but otherwise eligible, according to votetexas.gov.
Jefferson County Elections County Clerk Roxanne Acosta-Hellberg said she is not allowed to hand out mail-in ballots at her office in the County Courthouse.
“Voters have to request them,” she said. “We have an application just for tracking purposes, which is online at jeffersonelections.com.”
To vote by mail, a person must provide either their state driver’s license, Texas Personal Identification Number or Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. One of these must be on the ballot by mail (ABBM) and the mail ballot carrier envelope.
To apply for a mail-in ballot, voters can download an application online, grab a form from the Secretary of State’s office or the Early Voting Clerk.
Voters who will be absent from their county must apply in person for a ballot by mail before the early “voting in person” period begins (usually the 17th day before the election).
The last day to vote via mail-in ballot is Oct. 25. For information, visit jeffersonelections.com or votetexas.gov.