2020 Election FAQs
What will be on the ballot?
Races on the ballot include President, Senate, U.S. Congress, State and County representatives, and area judges. If you live in San Antonio city limits, you’ll also vote on local measures relating to sales tax allocations. Some local school districts are holding school board or bond elections.
When can I vote?
You can vote early between October 13th – 30th. The County has expanded voting hours during the last week of early voting (October 26th – 30th) from 8 am – 10 pm. See full early voting hours here.
Election Day is November 3rd and polls will be open 7 am – 7 pm. If you are in line by 7 pm, you will be able to vote.
Where can I vote?
During Early Voting and on Election Day, you can vote at ANY polling location. (Just note that locations may differ between early voting and Election Day.)
The County has added several “mega voting” locations this year, including the AT&T Center, Alfazar Shrine Temple, Palo Alto Performing Arts Center and St. Paul Community Center, to accommodate more voters and ensure that everyone can maintain physical distancing.
I need a ride to the polls. How can I get one?
VIA Transit is offering free rides on Election Day, November 3rd. Just show your voter registration card when you board. The Burro Brigade, a group of local volunteers, is coordinating rides during early voting and on Election Day.
Voter Registration and Identification FAQs
How do I register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in the November 3rd election has already passed. If you didn’t have a chance to register in time, make sure you do so now so you’re ready for the next election!
What if my voter registration information has changed?
If you’re registered in Bexar County and have recently moved addresses within Bexar County, you can update your address online. If you have moved from a new county into Bexar County, you must re-register.
If you have changed your name since you registered but you reside in the same county, you can update your name online. If both your name and county have changed, you can 1) correct your voter registration certificate on the back and mail it to your county’s voter registrar; 2) fill out a new voter registration and check “Change”; 3) change your voter registration when you apply for or change your Texas driver’s license.
What do I need to bring to vote?
If you have one of the following forms of photo identification, you must present one when you vote in person. The identification can be expired up to four years.
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States passport
If you do not have one of the above forms of identification, you can present one of the following supporting forms of identification, and the voting official will help you fill out a required declaration.
- Valid voter registration certificate
- Certified birth certificate (must be an original)
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
What if my voter information doesn't match my identification?
The address on your identification does NOT have to match your address on your voter registration information. If your name does not exactly match your name on your voter registration information, election officials will review your identification, and if your name is “substantially similar,” you’ll be allowed to vote (but required to submit an affidavit stating you are the same person on the official list of voters).
Vote By Mail FAQs
Can I vote by mail?
Texas has not expanded vote by mail during COVID-19. However, the following groups are always eligible to vote by mail: people aged 65+, people with disabilities, people confined to jail but otherwise eligible; and people who will be out of the County during Early Voting and on Election Day. If you plan to vote by mail, make sure your application is received by October 23rd. (If you’re 65 or older, you may have already received an application in the mail from Bexar County.)
Once you receive your ballot, you’ll need to return it by mail (must be received 7:00 pm on November 3rd or by 5:00 pm on November 4th if postmarked by 7:00 pm on November 3rd), or drop it off at the Bexar County Elections Department (1103 S Frio).
If I vote by mail, how do I know that my ballot was received?
Good news! This year Bexar County has introduced a ballot tracking tool. You can track both your vote by mail application and your ballot here.
If I have requested and/or received a mail-in ballot, can I vote in person instead?
Yes. If you have your mail-in ballot, bring that with you so that you can surrender your ballot and vote as usual. If you don’t have that, you’ll be able to cast a provisional ballot and your vote will be counted once the County determines your ballot was not received.
I have a disability, but I didn’t apply to vote by mail in time. How can I vote?
Texas offers curbside voting for people who cannot enter a polling place without assistance or likelihood of injuring their health. You can call ahead to the Elections office (210-335-8683) to make sure your polling location has the voting materials ready. Learn more about curbside voting.
More Helpful FAQs
How can I sign up to be a poll worker?
Due to COVID-19, elections administrators need more poll workers this year. High schoolers who are 16 or older can also sign up to be poll workers. Find out more here.
How can I stay safe while I vote?
Wear a mask or face covering when you go to the polls and bring hand sanitizer with you. Poll workers will provide you with a new pencil or other tool to use on the touch screen. Think about and plan your ballot choices before you get to the polls. (While you can’t use your phone inside the polling station, you can bring a sheet of paper in with you.) See more about voting safely during COVID-19.
Can I bring my kids with me when I vote?
Yes! Future voters are always welcome to join you at the polls!
Can I wear my favorite candidate's t-shirt or hat when I vote?
No. Texas election code says that you cannot “electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party” within 100 feet of a polling site. That means you’ll need to swap out your candidate t-shirt, mask, hat, etc.
¿Qué tipo de gobierno tiene San Antonio?
San Antonio tiene una forma de gobierno consejo-administrador. Los votantes eligen a 11 representantes (10 representantes de distrito y 1 Alcalde), y el Alcalde y el Ayuntamiento nombran a un administrador municipal. Mientras el Alcalde y el Ayuntamiento toman decisiones sobre leyes y políticas, el administrador municipal es el responsable de realizar las operaciones cotidianas de la ciudad, proporcionándoles al Alcalde y al Ayuntamiento recomendaciones, y desarrollando y supervisando un presupuesto (que aprueba el Ayuntamiento cada año) que paga los servicios de la ciudad.
¿Por cuánto tiempo están los representantes en el cargo?
El alcalde y todos los miembros del Consejo Municipal tienen un mandato de dos años antes de la siguiente elección. Están limitados cuatro mandatos de dos años.
¿Cómo me registro para votar?
Para registrarte, necesitarás descargar la solicitud, imprimirla y firmarla, y enviarla por correo al departamento de elecciones del condado.
» Obtén la solicitud y más información.
» Revisa tu registro de votante.
¿Qué pasa si mi información de registro de votante ha cambiado?
Si estás registrado en el Condado de Bexar y recientemente te mudaste de dirección dentro del Condado de Bexar, puedes actualizar tu dirección en línea.
Si te mudaste de un nuevo condado al Condado de Bexar, debes volver a registrarte.
Si cambiaste tu nombre desde que te registraste pero vives en el mismo condado, puedes actualizar tu nombre en línea. Si tu nombre y condado han cambiado, puedes 1) corregir tu certificado de registro de votante en la parte trasera y enviarlo al agente de registro de votantes de tu condado; 2) llenar un nuevo registro de votante y marcar “Cambio”; 3) cambiar tu registro de votante cuando solicites o cambies tu licencia de conducir de Texas.
» Actualiza tu nombre o dirección en línea.
» Obtén la solicitud de registro.
» Encuentra al agente de registro de votantes de tu condado.
¿Qué pasa si mi información de votante no coincide con mi identificación?
La dirección de tu identificación NO tiene que coincidir con la dirección en tu información de registro de votante. Si tu nombre no coincide exactamente con tu nombre en la información de registro, los oficiales de la elección revisarán tu identificación, y si tu nombre es “sustancialmente similar”, tendrás permitido votar (pero requerirás enviar una declaración jurada en la que indiques que eres la misma persona en la lista oficial de votantes).
¿Qué necesito llevar para votar?
Si cuentas con alguna de las siguientes formas de identificación fotográfica, debes presentar una cuando votes en persona. La identificación puede estar expirada hasta por 4 años.
- Licencia de conducir de Texas emitida por el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas (DPS)
- Certificado de Identificación de Elección de Texas emitido por el DPS
- Tarjeta de identificación personal de Texas emitida por el DPS
- Licencia de Texas para portar pistola emitida por el DPS
- Tarjeta de identificación militar de los Estados Unidos que contenga la fotografía de la persona
- Certificado de ciudadanía de los Estados Unidos que contenga la fotografía de la persona
- Pasaporte de los Estados Unidos
Si no cuentas con alguna de las formas de identificación mostradas arriba, puedes presentar una de las siguientes formas acreditativas de identificación, y el oficial de votación te ayudará a llenar una declaración requerida.
- Certificado de registro de votante válido
- Acta de nacimiento certificada (debe ser una original)
- Copia de o una factura de servicios original
- Copia de o un extracto bancario original
- Copia de o un cheque del gobierno original
- Copia de o un cheque de pago original
- Copia de o un documento del gobierno original con tu nombre y una dirección (se requiere el original si contiene una fotografía)