Polk County

Roevember

Make a Plan to Vote

For Polk County in the State of Texas

Polk County Elections Division Home Page

DISCLAIMER:
The information on this page reflects the County’s website (listed above), and if there is something missing, please check your county’s website to see if that information is there or call your county’s Clerk or Election Administrator. Check this web page frequently as noted missing information will be added as soon as it is released by the county.

VOTING TIMELINE

Last Day to Register to Vote

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

Monday, October 24, 2022

Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail

(Received, not Postmarked)

Friday, October 28, 2022

Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

Friday, November 4, 2022

Last Day to receive Mail-In Ballot

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 PM

A voted ballot postmarked by Election Day must be received by the early voting clerk no later than Wednesday, November 9, 2022 by 5:00 pm (the next business day after Election Day).
If there is no postmarked, early voting clerk must receive these ballots by 7:00 pm on Election Day which is November 8, 2022.
Ballots from civilians abroad must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 6th day (due to weekend) after Election Day, Monday, November 14, 2022.
Ballots from Military voters must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 6th day after Election Day, Monday, November 14, 2022.

REGISTER TO VOTE

Last Day to Register to Vote

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

In order to be eligible to vote, you need to be registered 30 days before the election or by October 11. 2022

Click here for information on how to Register To Vote

Qualifications

You must register to vote in the county in which you reside.
You must be a citizen of the United States
You must be at least 17 years and 10 months old to register, and you must be 18 years of age by election day.
You must not be finally convicted of a felony, or if you are a felon, you must have completed all of your punishment, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or you must have received a pardon.

Identification Requirement

If you do not have a Texas driver's license or a social security number, you will be required to present identification when you vote in person. For more information on Texas Voter ID Laws please visit votetexas.gov.

General Information

Your voter registration will become effective 30 days after it is received or on your 18th birthday, whichever is later. Your registration must be effective on or before an election in order to vote in that election.
If you move to another county, you must re-register in the county of your new residence.
You must provide your Texas driver's license or personal identification number. Only when you do not have a driver's license or personal identification number, then give the last four digits of your social security number or if you do not have any of these identification numbers, then you must indicate by checking the appropriate box on the application side.

Application forms may be picked up at the following location:

Polk County Voter Registrar
Leslie Jones Burks
416 N Washington
Livingston, TX 77351

You can also pick up an application at any city office, post office, or city library

To fill out a Voter Registration Application on-line:

Texas Voter Registration Application (English)
Solicitud de registro electoral en Texas (En Español)

Applicants must PRINT their completed application, sign the application, and submit the original document to the Polk County Registrar of Voters Office by one of two ways:

1) Mail application to:

Polk County Voter Registrar
Leslie Jones Burks
416 N Washington
Livingston, TX 77351

OR

2) Submit application in person at:

Polk County Voter Registrar
Leslie Jones Burks
416 N Washington
Livingston, TX 77351

For questions or information on Voter Registration:

Call: (936) 327-6801

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Monday - Friday)

Registering to vote is fast and easy! Simply complete a Voter Registration Application and mail the signed application (at least 30 days before the election date) or by October 11, 2022.

HOW TO REGISTER IF YOU ARE A COLLEGE STUDENT

Students are provided with two options:

Register to vote in the county where their college/university is located.
Remain registered in the county they currently reside. One must then to return to that county and vote in-person during the Early Voting days or Election Day.

It is strictly up to the student where they choose to claim their residence, which elections they wish to participate in, and how they would like to vote.

Click here to confirm your Voter Registration Status

Click here to update your voter information - Name and/or Address Change

EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE

Early Voting is from October 24 to November 4, 2022

EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, DATES AND HOURS

Polk County's registered voters may choose to vote prior to Election Day during the early voting period at any one of the Polk County's early voting sites as shown above or listed in the below link:

Click here to view or print Polk County Early Voting Locations & Schedule

**NOTICE OF EXTENDED WEEKDAY AND SATURDAY VOTING AT THE JUDICIAL CENTER**

Mail In Voting

VOTING BY MAIL

Click here for details on "Ballot By Mail"

Last Day to receive "Ballot By Mail"

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 (Election Day) at 7:00 PM if Carrier Envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 9, 2022 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 PM if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 PM at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)

REQUIREMENTS TO BALLOT BY MAIL

You may vote early by-mail if you are registered to vote and meet one of the following criteria:

• You are 65 years or older on Election Day;

• You are sick or disabled;

• You will be out of Polk County during the Early Voting period and on Election Day;

• You are expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day;

• You are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN APPLICATION TO "BALLOT BY MAIL"

Click here to print an Application for "Ballot by Mail" - in English

Haga clic aquí para imprimir una solicitud de "boleta por correo" - en español

One can also request an application for Ballot by Mail by email or phone at:

[email protected] or (936) 327-6805

HOW TO RETURN AN APPLICATION TO "BALLOT BY MAIL"

Applications for Ballot by Mail for the General Election MUST be received (not postmarked) by Friday, October 28, 2022, 5:00 pm

Return the application to "Ballot By Mail" by one of the following ways:

1) Regular residential mail via United States Postal Service

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
PO Drawer 2119
Livingston, TX 77351

2) Common or contract carrier (e.g., personal courier, FedEx, UPS, or other contracted mail service)

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
101 W. Mill St., Suite #265
Livingston, TX 77351

You can hand deliver your "Ballot By Mail" application to the address above. *ONLY THE VOTER MAY USE THE IN PERSON METHOD!

3) Email: [email protected]

4) FAX: (936) 327-6855

NOTE: If you email or fax your application, you must also mail the original and it must be received in our office within 4 business days.

5) Voters may now hand deliver their ballot application to the Polk County Elections Department's Office, See above address for hand delivery. (not later than the 11th day before Election Day or by October 28, 2022, 5:00 pm)

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Monday - Friday)

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT

Voters will now have to provide either their Texas Identification, TXDL, EIC number; OR the last four digits of their Social Security number on both their ballot application and carrier envelope. Important Note: Number provided on the application must match your Voter Registration Record. We recommend putting both numbers, if applicable.

Reminder:

Do not forget to sign the Carrier Envelope
You must include the last 4 digits of your social security number or identification number on the Carrier Envelope.
We recommend including both numbers if applicable.

A completed and signed mail ballot MUST be returned to the Polk County Election Administrator’s Office in the Official Carrier Envelope provided to you. It may be returned in any of the following manners:

1) Regular residential mail via United States Postal Service (You will need two standard stamps when mailing your ballot ($1.20 total postage).

Ballot must be postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day, Wednesday, November 9.

2) Common or contract carrier; such as personal courier. or FedEx or UPS, or other contracted mail service

Send to:

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
101 W. Mill St., Suite #265
Livingston, TX 77351

Ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day
If the carrier provides receipt mark indicating a time before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, it may be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day.

IN-PERSON DELIVERY OF BALLOT CARRIER ENVELOPE - ELECTION DAY ONLY

*ONLY THE VOTER MAY USE THE IN PERSON METHOD!

Note: Texas State Election Law SB-1 has has eliminated any In-Person drop off prior to Election Day.

In-Person delivery of Ballot Carrier Envelope on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8) only from 7 AM – 7 PM.

You must present an acceptable form of photo identification
If a voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo identification, the voter may show a List B identification and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID)
Only the voter may deliver their ballot in person, You may not drop off applications in person for anyone else, even if they are a spouse or family member.

Here is the drop off location on Election Day:

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
101 W. Mill St., Suite #265
Livingston, TX 77351

LAST DAY TO RECEIVE MAIL-IN BALLOT

A voted ballot postmarked by Election Day must be received by the early voting clerk no later than 5:00 pm on the next business day after Election Day, Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
If there is no postmarked, early voting clerk must receive these ballots by 7:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Ballots from civilians abroad must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 6th day after Election Day, Monday, November 14,2022.
Ballots from Military voters must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 6t h day after Election Day, Monday, November 14,2022.

Please Note: The Carrier Envelope with the ballot enclosed cannot be submitted to the Presiding Election Judge at an Election Day polling place to be counted. However, the Mail-In Ballot, incomplete or completed, may be surrendered to the Presiding Election Judge at any of the polling sites on Election Day and the voter can in-person vote on a voting machine. The surrendered Mail-in Ballot must include the Carrier Envelope with the Ballot, Ballot Envelope.

FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION ON BALLOT BY MAIL:

Call: (936) 327-6805

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Monday - Friday)

Click here to track your Mail-In Ballot

Military_Overseas Voting

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTING

Click here for information on Military and Overseas Voting

Click here for a video on: "How to Vote Absentee When You are in the Military"

REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL POST CARD APPLICATION (FPCA)

You may vote by FPCA if you are:

An active duty member, spouse and dependent(s) of the U.S. Armed Forces or Merchant Marine absent from and claiming Polk County as your legal residence; or
A U.S. citizen residing outside of the United States and claiming Polk County as your legal residence; or
A member of the Texas National Guard or the National Guard of another state or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States serving on active duty under an order of the President of the United States or activated on state orders, or the spouse or dependent of a member.

The FPCA is used to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and update your contact information.

Click here for "Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request" FPCA Form

Federal Voting Assistance Program with the U.S. Department of Defense

WHEN MUST THE EARLY VOTING CLERK RECEIVE YOUR FPCA?

The Election Coordinator must receive your ballot request by the close of regular business day in the Election Coordinator's office or 5:00 PM, whichever is later, on the 11th day (October 28, 2022) before Election Day unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal state or national holiday, in which case the last day is the first preceding regular business day.

Completed and signed FPCA application can be sent by:

1) Regular residential mail via United States Postal Service

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
PO Drawer 2119
Livingston, TX 77351

2) Common or contract carrier (e.g., personal courier, FedEx, UPS, or other contracted mail service)

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
101 W. Mill St., Suite #265
Livingston, TX 77351

3) Hand delivered by the voter

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
101 W. Mill St., Suite #265
Livingston, TX 77351

4) Email: [email protected] (scanned image of signed form)

5) FAX: (936) 327-6855

Under Texas law, if an FPCA is faxed, the original application must also be mailed and received in our office within 4 business days.

WHEN TO RETURN MAIL-IN BALLOT

Mail your ballot in the envelope provided by mail or common or contract carrier. A ballot may not be returned to the Election Coordinator by any other method. If military voter (or spouse or dependent) in hostile fire pay/imminent danger pay/combat zone, your voted ballot may be faxed using authorized channels to (935) 327-6855.

The Election Coordinator must receive your voted ballot no later than 7:00 p.m. Election Day (November 8, 2022) or by the 6th day after Election Day if your ballot is submitted from outside the United States.

YOU ARE OVERSEAS & DO NOT THINK YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT ON TIME

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is a write-in absentee ballot that can be used as a backup when the voter is living outside the voting residence and has not received the requested ballot in time to vote by the election deadline. We encourage voters to contact the Polk County Election Coordinator's office at (936) 327-6805 or [email protected] to confirm that their FPCA was successfully processed before submitting a FWAB.

The FWAB can be mailed to:

Polk County Clerk
Schelana Hock
PO Drawer 2119
Livingston, TX 77351

Please click below to download the form:

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot Form (PDF)