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Bexar County Elections Department
Jacquelyn F. Callanen,
Elections Administrator
MAIL-IN BALLOT CHANGES
If you’re a Texas voter who has cast your ballot by mail in recent years, you may have noticed some differences in your mail ballot materials this year. Voting by mail had substantial changes beginning with the March 2022 Primary Election. From changes in the application to changes in the requirements on the Ballot Carrier Envelope, and finally, to new options for correcting a problem with your ballot, voting by mail is not the same as it was in the past.
It’s important for all voters who are eligible to vote by mail to be aware of three substantial changes to the ballot by mail process in Texas. Understanding these three modifications of the election law will help you make sure your vote counts.
Click each Change below to get more information:
Change No. 1: Applications
Not everyone in Texas is eligible to vote by mail. If you fall into one of these five categories, you are able to request an application to vote by mail from your local election office. These include those who are:
- 65 years of age or older;
- Disabled or have a sickness/physical condition that would prevent you from entering the polling place without injuring yourself or needing assistance;
- Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day;
- Expected to be absent from your county during Early Voting and on Election Day; or
- Confined in Jail or Civilly Committed, but otherwise eligible to vote
With the new laws, be sure to fill out the application completely. One of the new requirements is that you must include an ID number on the application. This can be your Texas Driver's License number, your Personal ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. The vast majority of registered voters in Texas have both numbers on their voter registration record, but if you are unsure which number to put – you can feel free to put both just to be safe. The law only requires that one of the numbers matches a number on your voter registration record.
Remember: you will need to put this ID number on your application as well as your ballot carrier envelope.
Change No. 2: Ballot Carrier Envelope
Once you complete your ballot, put it in the white secrecy envelope and place it in the return ballot carrier envelope. Do not seal the envelope yet.
There are several pieces of information that you must provide on your ballot carrier-envelope before you seal the security flap. Just like you did on the application, you must put an ID number your Texas Driver's License, Personal ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number in the space provided under the security flap of the envelope. This is similar to showing your photo ID if you vote in person. It ensures that the person who was supposed to vote on the ballot is, in fact, the person who completed and sent the ballot. These numbers are required in order for your vote to count.
After you fill this part out, you seal the envelope. The flap protects your personal information as it goes through the mail!
Be sure to sign the carrier envelope. If an assistant or witness helped you with the ballot and carrier-envelope, they must fill out the section of the envelope with their information completely.
Please make sure to mail your ballot with plenty of time for the election office to receive it. Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. the day after Election Day and postmarked no later than 7 p.m. Election Day to be counted.
Change No. 3: Correcting your Ballot Carrier Envelope to make your vote count
In the past, if you made a mistake when voting by mail, your ballot was rejected, with few — if any — opportunities for a second chance. With the new laws, you have the ability to correct a problem within six days after Election Day. You can also vote in person instead of by mail if you are aware of a problem by Election Day.
Adding a phone number or e-mail address to your carrier envelope is the best way for county officials to contact you regarding any issues with your ballot. The Early Voting Ballot Board will reach out if you provide your contact information on your mail ballot materials.
Many voters forgot to provide a personal ID number on the carrier in the March election. Correcting this is as easy as:
- Going to your elections office to certify your ID information within six days after Election Day;
- Going to www.votetexas.gov, and click ‘Track My Ballot’ to confirm your ID information within six days of Election Day; or
- Voting in person by the time polls close on Election Day.
By remembering a few key changes, you can make sure your vote will count. Fill everything out completely. Look over your application and ballot carrier-envelope carefully. Within a few elections, you will know exactly what to do.
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November 7, 2023
Joint Constitutional Amendments, General, Special Charter, and Bond Election -
Early Vote Period: Monday, October 23, 2023 – Friday, November 3, 2023
Election Day Vote Period: Tuesday, November 7, 7 AM to 7 PM
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Make your voice heard!
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View the generic sample ballot for the election.
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Check your registration and find your individual sample ballot and Vote Centers.Find the individual sample ballot and Vote Centers for an address.
The address must match what is on the Voter Registration record.
Welcome!
The Bexar County Elections Department is responsible for voter registration activities and election operations throughout Bexar County. This includes 776 voting precincts, 53 political subdivisions, 20 Independent School Districts, 29 Cities, 3 Military Installations (including Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph Air Force Base), and 1,225,587 registered voters.
Events (Open to the Public)
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Tuesday, October 3
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Wednesday, October 4
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Thursday, October 5
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Tuesday, October 10
News
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Volunteer Deputy Registrar Certification Training 2023-2024
We are excited to announce the return of the Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training Program. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, the are now 3 options available at this time to become a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar in Bexar County. Learn more about the training options >
Notices
November 7, 2023 Uniform Election
State
- Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas
- Ballot Language for Constitutional Amendments/Espanol
- Explanatory Statements for Constitutional Amendments/Espanol
Schools
Special Utility Districts
- Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority Order of Cancellation for Directors Election
- Green Valley Special Utility District Order of Election
- San Antonio River Authority Notice of Deadline to File an Application for Place on the Ballot
- San Antonio River Authority Order of Election for Board of Directors at Large
Election Identification Cards
For questions or more information regarding the EIC program, please contact the Bexar County Elections Office.
Voter ID Information
For further information visit VoteTexas.Gov.
ID Required for Texas Voters
- Election Identification Certificates (EIC) Available
- Acceptable Forms of ID
- ID Required for Texas Voters
- Se requiere identificatión para votar en Texas
Check Your Voter Information
To check to see if your information matches, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s Voter Registration page. Put in your birthdate and the house number and it will give you the name you currently have on your official voter registration card. You can also call the Elections Department at 210-335-VOTE (8683).
Make sure your voter information is up to date. If you’ve moved, changed apartments, or your name, your voter information must be updated.
Latest Updates 2023
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Tuesday, September 26
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Community Conversations with Judge Sakai The public is invited to hear Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai address the County's most pressing issu...
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Thursday, September 28
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Community Conversations with Judge Sakai The public is invited to hear Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai address the County's most pressing issu...
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Jacquelyn F. Callanen
Elections Administrator
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Elections Department
Physical Address
1103 S. Frio
Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: 210-335-VOTE (8683)Fax: 210-335-0371 (Elections)
Email: BexarCountyElections@bexar.org
Early Voting Clerk
1103 S. Frio St.
Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78207-6328