Everything here points to official, authoritative sources. We don't replace the state and county election offices — we help you reach them and know what to do.
Register and check your status
- Register to vote or update your registration through the Texas Secretary of State at VoteTexas.gov.
- Check whether you're registered with the Texas "Am I Registered?" tool at the Secretary of State's voter portal.
- Find your county election office and polling place by starting with Find My Districts.
Know the key dates
Texas runs elections on a regular cadence — uniform election dates in May and November, primaries in the spring of even years, and local elections that are easy to miss. Deadlines for registration, early voting, and mail ballots are set by the state and change each cycle, so we link the official calendar rather than print dates that go stale:
- The Texas Secretary of State publishes the official important election dates for each year.
- Your county election office posts local races and exact polling locations and hours.
The elections almost no one watches
School board and city council races — the ones that shape daily life most — often fall on the May uniform election date and draw tiny turnout. Put that date on your calendar and you're already ahead of most of your neighbors.
How to attend a public meeting
You don't need to hold office to participate. Public meetings are open, and showing up is most of the work. A simple path:
- Find the body and its schedule. School boards, city councils, and commissioners courts post agendas in advance, usually on the county or city website.
- Read the agenda. It lists what will be decided and when public comment is taken.
- Sign up to speak if you wish — most bodies allow brief public comment; some require signing up beforehand.
- Speak with courage and charity. Be specific, be respectful, and be brief. Presence and consistency matter more than eloquence.
Called to Office is a nonpartisan civic education project. These resources are for civic information only and are not a directive on how or for whom to vote.