2024 General Election Vote-by-Mail Program Prime and Chase FAQs


Please consult this document during your application prime or chase phone banks. This document will answer questions frequently asked by vote-by-mail application recipients and mail ballot recipients. 


Please do not attempt to answer any questions not included in this FAQ – or anything you are not 110% sure you know the answer to. We never want to provide inaccurate information to voters. If you can not answer a question, please direct the voter to call the Texas Democratic Party’s Voter Assistance Hotline – 844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837).


Important Dates

  • Voter registration deadline: Monday, October 7

  • Early voting dates: October 21 - November 1

  • Election Day: November 5

  • Recommended deadline to request Mail Ballot: Mail by October 11 to ensure your request arrives on time.

  • VBM Application deadline: Fri, Oct. 25 (must arrive at Early Voting Clerk’s office by deadline) 

  • Recommended last day to mail your VBM Ballot: Mail your ballot by October 30 to ensure it is delivered to your county elections office on time. After this date, we recommend hand delivering your ballot to your county elections office or voting in person. As a reminder, curbside voting from a vehicle is available at every polling place if the voter is physically unable to enter the polling place.

  • VBM Ballot deadline: 

    • If submitted by mail: Ballot must be postmarked by 7PM on November 5 (Election Day) and must arrive at the Elections Office by Wednesday, November 6; 

    • If submitted in person: Ballot must be walked into the county elections office  by the voter no later than 7PM on November 5. The voter will be required to present an acceptable photo ID when submitting their ballot. Ballots may be walked into the elections office throughout the Early Voting period and until polls close on Election Day.


Questions Regarding the Texas Democratic Party’s Vote-By-Mail Program and Mail Ballot Request Form:


Q:    When is the deadline to submit my application?


A:    The LAST DAY for your election official to receive your application for the November 5 General Election is October 25, 2024 by 5 pm. But the sooner you mail it in, the better. We recommend that you mail your application by October 11, 2024 to ensure that it’s received in time.


Q:    It doesn’t fit in the envelope. Can I fold it?   


A:     Yes! The mailing should come with a blank return envelope with a window. Your early voting clerk’s address is printed on the reverse side of the form. When folded, it should fit easily into the return envelope. Make sure your early voting clerk’s address is visible through the window of the return envelope. 


Q:    I lost the envelope. 


A:     No problem, you can use your own envelope. You can copy the address for the early voting clerk that is on the reverse side of the form. Or I can help find the address of your early voting clerk (look it up here).


Q:    My spouse / neighbor / etc. needs a ballot - where can they request one?


A:     They can print out a mail ballot application form at: txdem.co/LWVApp (or txdem.co/LWVAppESP for the Spanish language version).


    On or before October 11, if a voter does not have access to a printer, they may visit txdem.co/vbmrequest to request that TDP send them a mail ballot application. This option is not available to voters after October 11. 


Q:    Why are you telling me to add both my Driver’s License AND Social Security Number when the form only says one is required?

If you have been issued a Texas Drivers License or ID card, you are required to include that number on your application. If you have not been issued a DL or ID, you may use your Social Security Number. While only one number is required, we recommend adding both to help the elections office process your application just in case they don’t have one of the numbers on file for you. 


Q:    What if my ID is expired? 


A:    That’s ok. If you still have it, include your expired Drivers License or State ID number AND the last 4 of your Social Security Number.


Questions About Mailing Ballots:


Q:    If I apply for a mail ballot, can I later decide to go vote in person?

A:    Yes. You’ll usually receive your mail ballot before early voting begins.  You may mark it and mail it immediately. If you still have the ballot but would prefer to vote in-person during Early Voting or Election Day, you may take the ballot with you to the polling place. You will give the Clerk your mail ballot and they will cancel it. Then you may vote an in-person ballot.  


Q:    Can I mail my ballot and my spouse’s in the same envelope?


A:    NO, YOU CANNOT MAIL MULTIPLE BALLOTS IN THE SAME CARRIER ENVELOPE!


Q:    Someone who is running for office has called me on the phone and asked me to vote for them. Is that OK?   


A:    Yes, you have a right to discuss voting with anyone. The problem is when they are in your presence while you’re voting your mail ballot and could coerce or persuade you to vote differently than you intended. 


Still need help with a tough question?

The Texas Democrats’ Voter Protection Hotline is available for voters or you to call at 844-TX-VOTES (844-898-6837).