Voter Engagement Project

VOTER GUIDE

Information on national, state, and local elections

The elections you may vote in depend on where you live. For a personalized voter guide including national, state, and local elections, please visit https://www.vote411.org/ballot and enter your address to find your races.

See the League of Women Voters-Fort Bend’s Nonpartisan Voter Guide here: LWVFB- Nonpartisan Voters Guide

LWVFB- Nonpartisan Voters Guide

Frequently Asked Election Questions

What do I need to bring to vote?

To vote, you must bring one of the approved forms of photo identification below. With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, have expired no more than 4 years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. A person 70 years of age or older may use a form of identification listed below that has expired if the identification is otherwise valid.

  • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
  • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
  • Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
  • United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
  • United States passport

Voters who currently do not have an approved form of photo ID may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

For more information:

The information in this answer is drawn from the Houston Voters Guide by the League of Women Voters of Houston.

What if I don’t have one of these approved forms of identification?

Bring one of the following supporting documents to the polling place. The election official will help you complete a form and you’ll be able to vote.

  • Valid Voter Registration Certificate
  • Certified Birth Certificate (must be an original)
  • Copy of or original Bank Statement
  • Copy of or original Government check or paycheck
  • Copy of or original current Utility Bill
  • Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)

The information in this answer is drawn from the Houston Voters Guide by the League of Women Voters of Houston.

What is a primary election?

In Texas, primary elections are conducted by the major political parties to determine their nominees for a given elective office in advance of a general election.   

Source: https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Voting-FAQ  

Are Texas primaries open or closed?

Texas has open primaries, meaning all eligible voters can participate regardless of party affiliation. You do not need to register with a political party when you register to vote. 

Source: League of Women Voters of Texas 

What is the difference between joint primaries and separate primaries?

Joint Primaries: Both parties share the same polling locations on Election Day 

Separate Primaries: Each party has its own separate polling locations on Election Day 

Fort Bend County holds joint primaries.  

  

Source: League of Women Voters of Texas 

Are candidates identified by political party on a primary election ballot?

No. In a Primary Election, all candidates on a ballot are affiliated with the same political party.   

  

Source: https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Voting-FAQ 

May a registered voter participate in a primary election runoff even if the voter did not vote in the primary elections?

Yes. It is not necessary to have voted in the Primary to vote in a Primary Runoff Election. However, during an election cycle, a voter that participated in a Primary Election may ONLY participate in the Primary Runoff Election of the Party in which the voter initially voted.   

  

Source: https://www.harrisvotes.com/Voter/Voting-FAQ