EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE FAQ

WHAT DOES EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE MEAN?
Early Voting By Personal Appearance means that a registered voter in Texas may vote prior to General Election Day during a period designated by state law.

WHEN DOES EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE TAKE PLACE?
Texas Election Code: Sec. 85.001. EARLY VOTING PERIOD.
a. General Election: During a General Election the period for early voting by personal appearance begins on the 17th day before Election Day and continues through the fourth day before Election Day, except as otherwise provided.
b. Runoff Election: The Early Voting Period for a special runoff election for the office of state senator or state representative or for a runoff primary election begins on the 10th day before election day.
c. If the date prescribed by Subsection (a) or (b) for beginning the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday, the early voting period begins on the next regular business day.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE EARLY BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE?
Any qualified voter may vote early by personal appearance. No reason is needed.

WHERE CAN A REGISTERED VOTER IN HAYS COUNTY VOTE DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD?
Any qualified voter may vote in person at the main early voting polling place or at any other designated early voting branch location during designated times. Usually, there are numerous early voting locations in Hays County during the conduct of a countywide election.

WHY WAS THE PERIOD FOR EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE ESTABLISHED?
Early Voting by Personal Appearance was introduced in Texas in the mid-1990s to make voting more convenient for the citizenry. It also provides voters who may be away from the county of residence on Election Day the opportunity to vote in person.

HOW ARE EARLY VOTING SITES DESIGNATED?
By law, in counties with a population of 400,000 or more, the commissioners court has the authority to establish at least one early voting site at each state representative district.

EARLY VOTING IN-PERSON: LIMITED BALLOT
A registered voter in the state of Texas may qualify to vote a limited ballot at the main early voting site during the early voting period in a federal and state election. For more information, see section 112.001 to 112.0012 of the Texas Election Code.