Many Texans are headed to the polls this election season to vote for the next governor. But there's also a long list of other important races, like the race for the next Hays County judge or the mayor of San Marcos.
It can be overwhelming, but we've got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to vote in Hays County.
Am I registered to vote?
First, make sure you’re registered. Go here to verify your registration.
What’s on my ballot?
Hays County residents will see a mix of statewide and local races on their ballot.
A few big statewide ones are:
- Governor
- Lieutenant governor
- Attorney general
- Railroad commissioner
- Agriculture commissioner
Notable ones in Hays County include:
- Hays County judge
- Hays County commissioners
- Mayor of San Marcos
- San Marcos City Council members
- Kyle road bonds
And there are many more! To find out what exactly will be on your ballot and to read about each candidate, check out the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 guide. Just input your address below and you’ll see a list of candidates and propositions that will appear on your ballot, along with information about each of them.
You can download a sample ballot by visiting the Hays County website here.
Where and when can I vote?
The main early voting site is at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, but there a few others that you can find here. Early voting is Oct. 24 to Nov. 4.
The hours for the first week of early voting are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, the hours are from noon to 6 p.m.
The following week, the hours for early voting are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, polling locations will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re in line by 7 p.m. on Election Day, you cannot be denied a ballot.
For a list of voting centers throughout the county, go here.
Don’t forget your ID
Make sure to bring a photo ID. The ID should be up to date or can be expired up to four years. Voters 70 or older can bring a photo ID that has been expired for any length of time.
If you had trouble getting an ID and don’t have one, here are some alternatives:
- government document showing your name and an address, such as your voter registration certificate
- current utility bill
- bank statement
- government check
- paycheck
- birth certificate
If you use one of these, you’ll have to sign a form that says you had a reasonable impediment to getting an ID.
Voting by mail
If you’re a registered voter in Texas, you can vote by mail if you:
- will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting;
- are sick or disabled;
- are 65 or older on Election Day;
- are confined in jail, but eligible to vote; or
- are expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.
Hays County residents can print and fill out an application to vote by mail here. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Oct. 28.
When filling out a mail-in ballot, use black or blue ink and follow the instructions to deliver it on time. Make sure your county's elections office receives your ballot on or before Election Day. You can mail in your ballot or hand deliver the sealed envelope to the county elections office. You'll need to show ID if you go in person.
The League of Women Voters has put together a detailed guide to voting by mail for Central Texas voters here.
What you can and can’t bring to the polls
You can bring voting-day essentials like:
- Photo IDs
- Legal documents to use in absence of an ID
- Sample ballots
- Handwritten notes
You can't have materials regarding a candidate or political party within 100 feet or inside a polling center, and you can’t use these items within that perimeter:
- Cellphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Cameras
- Any other device that can record sound or capture images
There will be markers signaling the 100-feet perimeter. Your phone should be on silent or turned off and put away.
What you can wear to the polls
Don’t wear clothing or accessories that support any candidate running in the election, a political party or a measure appearing on the ballot. That includes:
- T-shirts, sweaters or hoodies
- Hats
- Buttons
- Socks
- Scarfs
People may wear things representing former candidates, presidents or any political figure that is not a part of the election.
Voting accessibility
Curbside voting is available for people with disabilities including hearing, vision and mobility impairments. Voters can ask an election officer to bring a ballot to their parked car in the designated curbside voting location. Voters with mobility limitations may ask an election officer for voting priority to avoid standing in line. The presiding election judge will decide if the priority is granted.
If you need help casting your ballot you are permitted to bring someone with you, including a translator.
Special circumstances
Voters can apply for a late ballot due to sickness or disability, between the last day of early voting on Nov. 4 and 5 p.m. on Election Day. To qualify for a late ballot, the sickness or disability must originate on or after Oct. 27.
Voters may also apply for a late ballot due to a death in their immediate family that occurred on or after the fifth day before Election Day and causes them to be absent from their home county that day.
Other voting resources:
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Riane Roldan
Riane Roldan is the Hays County reporter for KUT, focusing on the costs and benefits of suburban growth. Got a tip? Email her at rroldan@kut.org. Follow her on Twitter @RianeRoldan.
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