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Exercise Your Power as a Voter

Casting your ballot in every election is one of the easiest and most effective ways to advocate for improved access to education, income and health in North Texas. Join us as we vote for candidates and policies that will expand opportunities and improve equity across our region.

Why vote?

Voting is one of the most powerful duties we as citizens hold. It’s important for every citizen to be an informed voter. While many people only vote during presidential election cycles, every election directly impacts various factors of your life.

Here are just a few things your vote can influence, even in off-election years:

  • How your property taxes are calculated
  • Who is on your local school board
  • What is in your city’s budget
  • How funds are allocated for transportation, housing, land use, parks or libraries, and more
  • How crime is investigated and prosecuted in your city

Your vote has the power to improve the quality of life in North Texas and drive positive changes that affect the education, income and health of our community.

Not registered to vote?

Visit VoteTexas.gov to register online or request a printed application.

What do I need to know to vote?

Here are some important tips for voting in North Texas:

Bring a photo ID

You must present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification before you can vote:

  • Texas driver’s license
  • Texas election ID certificate
  • Texas personal ID card
  • Texas handgun license
  • U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
  • U.S. military ID card with photo
  • U.S. passport (book or card)

Your voter registration card is not mandatory to vote, but it’s a good idea to bring it if you have it. If your name is spelled differently on the official voter list than on your ID, showing your registration card may resolve the issue.

Voting locations

Polling locations may be different for early voting and Election Day, so visit your county’s election website—Dallas, Collin, Rockwall or Denton—to make sure you’re headed to the right location.

Vote by mail

To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Be 65 years old or older
  • Be disabled
  • Be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
  • Be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible

You can request the application for a mail-in ballot from the Texas Secretary of State’s office. To learn how to request a vote-by-mail application and to submit your application, visit your county’s Elections Office website: Dallas, Collin, Rockwall or Denton

What are my rights as a voter in Texas?

As a voter, it’s helpful to understand your rights so that you feel comfortable and confident in voting. Check out our Texas Voter Bill of Rights before you cast your ballot.

Texas Voter Bill of Rights

How can I become a more informed voter?

Save yourself time at the polls by being prepared. Do your research on candidates and propositions, and determine how you want to vote before getting to the voting machine. You can bring notes or a sample ballot with you to vote, but you’re not allowed to have partisan flyers with you in the voting booth. Create your own personalized ballot by visiting Vote411.org.

Go to Vote411.org

Signup for Advocacy Alerts

Join us as we speak up and speak out about how education, income and health policies impact our community and advocate to expand opportunities and drive systemic change.

Civic Engagement & Strengthening Democracy

At United Way, we believe active civic and community engagement are essential to ensuring that all North Texans have equal access to education, income and health. Join our movement to foster a civically engaged and informed community where all North Texans can thrive.   

Learn more about our civic engagement initiatives and ways we’re strengthening democracy:

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Learn more about the vital role that nonprofits play in engaging voters, as well as tips for talking to your clients, employees, board members and volunteers about voting. 

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Our Democracy in America series is an opportunity for our most engaged donors and investors to hear from high-profile speakers from industry, government and philanthropy about the foundational principles that support our community impact work.

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