AUSTIN — Texas Secretary of State John Scott today released the third installment of ‘SOS 101,’ a series of educational videos on the voting process in Texas ahead of the November 8, 2022 General Election. In the newest video, Secretary Scott provides an overview of voting by mail in Texas, including who is eligible to cast a ballot by mail, ID requirements for voting by mail, and how county officials work to protect the security and integrity of mail ballots cast in an election.
Secretary Scott also visits with Parker County Elections Administrator Crickett Miller, who provides a step-by-step account of the mail ballot process at the county level and offers helpful tips for Texas mail voters.
Texas voters who are eligible to vote by mail must provide: (1) a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)-issued Texas Driver License, Personal ID or Election ID Certificate number; OR (2) the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number on both their Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and mail ballot carrier envelope. As long as one of the ID numbers provided matches what is on the voter’s registration record, the voter’s ABBM and ballot can be accepted.
“Remember, if you’re eligible and planning to vote by mail, you must make sure your Application for a Ballot by Mail is received by Friday, October 28, at your county Early Voting Clerk’s office,” Secretary Scott says in the video.
Applications for a ballot by mail in Hopkins County should be mailed to Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith (who serves as the county’s early voting clerk) at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; [email protected]. The clerk’s office must have received the ABBM no later than the close of business on Oct. 28, 2022. Federal Post Card Applications must be received no later than the close of business on Nov. 14, 2022, according to the Order of Election for November General Election for County Officers and Notice of General Election for state and US offices.
“Please take the time to read the instructions your county gives you carefully before putting your ballot in the mail. Don’t forget to provide an ID number, under the flap of the carrier envelope, to protect the security of your personal information,” Scott stated.
“When in doubt, fill both out,” Elections Administrator Crickett Miller recommends in the video.
“In case you don’t remember which number is on your voter registration record, we can use either.”
