Key dates to remember
• Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote.
By Oct. 15, county election offices are supposed to post information about polling locations for Election Day and during the early voting period on their websites. You can also check out the Secretary of State's website for more in formation.
• Oct. 21 is when early voting starts. It runs until Nov. 1.
• Oct. 25 is the last day counties can receive mail-in ballot requests. The deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned or postmarked is Nov. 5.
• Nov. 5 is Election Day.
Who's on the ballot? The presidential election isn't the only race on the ballot this year. There are also many federal, state, and local races.
This includes representatives in the U.S. and Texas houses and the following elected offices:
• One U.S Senator (the seat currently held by Ted Cruz)
• One of three Railroad Commissioners • 15 State Senators
• Seven State Board of Education members
• Three members of the Texas Supreme Court
• Three members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
• Five Chief Justices and various justices for Texas Courts of Appeals Lower-level judges and local county offices will also appear on the ballot:
• Various district judges, including on criminal and family courts:
• County Courts at Law
• Justices of the Peace
• District Attorneys
• County Attorneys
• Sheriffs
• Constables
• Tax Assessor-Collectors Some cities will also have local elections for offices like mayor and city council.
How does the presidential election work? The U.S. president is elected through a process called the Electoral College.
To win the presidency, a candidate has to get at least 270 votes from the 538 electors across the country. Each state has a number of electors determined by its number of U.S. senators and representatives in Congress.
Texas has 40 electoral votes. Whichever presidential candidate wins Texas, wins all of its electoral votes.
Texas hasn't backed a Democratic candidate in a presidential election since 1976.
Who can register to vote in Texas? U.S. citizens in Texas can register to vote if they are 18 or older or if they are 18 by Nov. 5.
Citizens in Texas who have been con victed of a felony and who are still serving a sentence cannot register to vote.
To register to vote, you must complete and submit a paper voter registration application by Oct. 7.
You can request a postage-paid appli- cation through the SOS website or find one at county voter registrars' offices and some post offices, government offic es or high schools.
Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
