Early voting underway for city and school elections

Special to The Highlander

The early voting period ahead of the May 4 municipal and city elections began Monday, April 22 and ends Tuesday, April 30.

Voters across the state will be casting ballots in local political subdivision elections, including those for mayor, city council, school board, municipal utility districts, and other local entities.

Locally, voters will be casting ballots in the Meadowlakes and Bertram city elections only as all other elections were canceled due to lack of opposed races.

Whitley urged voters to research the candidates and measures that will appear on their ballot and prepare to make their voices heard.

"Starting next week, Texas voters will have the opportunity to make important choices about the governance in their cities, towns, school districts, and other localities," Whitley said.

"I strongly encourage all eligible Texas voters to plan their trip to the polls now so they can be prepared to cast a ballot during the early voting period or on Election Day. It is critical to make sure all eligible Texans have a voice in shaping the future of their local communities."

During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any location in their county of registration. On Election Day, only voters registered in a county that participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program (CWPP) can cast a ballot at any location in the county.

In counties that do not participate in the CWPP, Texas voters must cast a ballot in their precinct of registration on Election Day.

Voters can check their registration status and view additional voting information online through the Texas Secretary of State's 'Am I Registered?' tool. Voters may also contact their respective county elections offices directly for more information about their ballot and appropriate polling location.

Additionally, Secretary Whitley reminded eligible Texas voters who possess one of the seven approved forms of photo ID that they must present that ID at the polls. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID can fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form, which is available at each polling location, and provide a supporting form of identification.

Certain voters may qualify for certain exemptions to presenting an acceptable form of photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure.

The seven forms of approved photo ID are:

• Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS);

• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS;

• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS;

• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS;

• United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph;

• United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph; and

• United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, if a voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo identification listed above, and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such identification, the voter may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form (PDF), which will be available at each polling location, and present a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of identification:

• a government document that shows the voter's name and an address, including the voter's voter registration certificate;

• a current utility bill;

• a bank statement;

• a government check;

• a paycheck;

• a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate; or

• a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter's identity (which may include a foreign birth document)