Voting and Election Rules
Texas requires photo ID to vote in person and limits mail voting to certain groups. In 2025 voters added a citizenship requirement to the state constitution, and the state began checking voter rolls against a federal citizenship database. The debate is how to balance easy access with confidence in results.
The basics
To vote in person in Texas, you must show one of seven kinds of photo ID, such as a Texas driver license, a U.S. passport or a Texas Election Identification Certificate. Voters who cannot reasonably get one can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and show another document, such as a utility bill or bank statement1.
Mail voting is limited. You can vote by mail only if you are 65 or older, sick or disabled, expecting to give birth within three weeks of Election Day, away from your county for all of early voting and Election Day, civilly committed under state law, or confined in jail but otherwise eligible2. Mail voters must also write an ID number, such as a driver license number, on both the application and the ballot, and the numbers must match their records8.
Voting by noncitizens was already illegal under state and federal law. On November 4, 2025, voters approved Proposition 16, which also writes that rule into the Texas Constitution34.
In the fall of 2025, the Secretary of State ran the names of the state's 18 million registered voters through a federal citizenship database. It flagged 2,724 possible noncitizens for county review5. Of those, 578 later showed they were citizens. In September 2026, the state referred 117 cases of possible noncitizen voting to the Attorney General for investigation5.
At the federal level, the U.S. House passed a bill in July 2026 that included a photo ID requirement for federal elections, attached to a stock-trading measure6. Democratic senators objected to requests to pass it quickly, and as of September 2026 the Senate had not passed it9.
Key terms
- Reasonable Impediment Declaration
- A form a voter without approved photo ID can sign, along with showing another ID document, to vote a regular ballot1.
- SAVE database
- A federal system for checking immigration and citizenship status. Texas used it to review its voter rolls5.
- Voter roll maintenance
- Removing people who have moved, died or are ineligible from the voter list. Counties do this under state law5.
- Provisional ballot
- A ballot set aside until election officials confirm the voter is eligible.
In Texas
Texas requires photo ID to vote in person and limits who can vote by mail12. Supporters say this protects confidence in results. Critics say it adds hurdles for eligible voters, such as voters with disabilities whose mail ballots or applications are rejected over ID number problems8.
For the November 3, 2026 election, the last day to register is Monday, October 55. Tarrant County runs elections and counts ballots for Colleyville voters.
How people see it
The strongest case for each view, in terms its supporters would recognize. We don't pick a side.
Tighter security
Every illegal vote cancels out a legal one. Strict photo ID, paper ballots, regular cleanup of voter rolls and fewer mail ballots, which are harder to verify, protect confidence that elections are fair.
Keep current rules
Photo ID is common sense and widely supported, and Texas already offers a free election ID and an alternative for people who cannot get one. The current balance works and does not need major change.
ID with more access
Requiring ID is reasonable if the state makes it easy to get. Free IDs, more early voting hours and locations, and help for older and rural voters let the state keep security while making voting easier.
Easier access
Proven voter fraud is rare, and each hurdle keeps some eligible citizens from voting. Automatic registration and mail voting for anyone who wants it would raise turnout while still allowing signature checks and audits.
Maximum access
Voting is a fundamental right, and ID requirements fall hardest on people less likely to have a current ID. Other safeguards, like registration checks and penalties for fraud, already protect elections without blocking eligible voters.
Who decides
- Texas Legislature and Governor: Write Texas election law, including ID, mail voting and registration rules.
- Texas Secretary of State: Appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation. Serves as the state's chief election officer and runs voter roll checks57.
- County elections office: Runs voting locations, mails ballots and counts votes.
- Congress: Can set rules for federal elections.
- Attorney General (elected): Investigates election crimes referred by the state5.
Questions to ask a candidate
- Should anyone who wants to be able to vote by mail, or only the groups allowed today?
- Do you think current Texas voting rules are too strict, about right, or too loose? Why?
- How should the state check citizenship on voter rolls without removing eligible voters by mistake?
- Would you support more early voting days or locations?
Last reviewed 2026-09-26. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.
Sources
- Texas Voter ID RequirementsVoteTexas.gov (Texas Secretary of State)
- Voting by Mail Eligibility RequirementsVoteTexas.gov (Texas Secretary of State)
- What Texans need to know about Proposition 16 on citizenship and votingVotebeat
- Texas Proposition 16 resultsFOX 26 Houston
- Texas Secretary of State Refers 117 Cases for Investigation of Noncitizen Voting (Sept. 15, 2026)Texas Secretary of State
- Congressional stock-trading bill passes the HouseRoll Call
- About the Secretary of StateTexas Secretary of State
- Fifth Circuit upholds Texas voter ID requirements to vote by mailVotebeat
- Senate Floor Log, Wednesday, July 29, 2026U.S. Senate Daily Press Gallery