Voting and Election: Welcome

Am I registered? (Texas Secretary of State)

Official Texas Voter Registration Name & Address Change | Texas.gov

What County am I in?

• Click here for training and become certified Harris County Voluntary Deputy Voter Registrar (VDVR) (free volunteer)
  • Important Information for Voter Registrar
  • Learn more about: Harris County VDVR
• Already a Harris County VDVR! Please sign up vdvr@rice.edu to receive Rice information and get involved in future Rice voter registration events. Email vdvr@rice.edu for questions or assistance.
• Student Election Worker (paid)
• Election Worker  (paid)
• Bilingual Election Worker  (paid)
• Election Judge  (paid)

Voter ID (votetexas.gov)

Finding Polling Location in Harris County

Resources:

- Project Vote Smart: Sample Ballots by Zip Code. Elected Officials & Candidates voting records, interest group ratings, speeches, campaign contributions, and contact information, current and past ballot measures by date & issue.

- Sample Ballots will become available in late September. When it becomes available, click here to find the information about the election candidates, when the information becomes available. It will ask you to enter your address to start, and enter your address again on the new web page to start. 

- Here are 3 basic strategies for being an informed voter and research more complete information about the election candidates, their proposals and potential impact:

1. 1. Read Quality News. Stay informed about what’s going on in the world and what issues are at stake.
   2. Research the candidates. Be aware of not only who is running, but also the positions and policies of candidates.
   3. Follow the money. Understand that money influences election outcomes and policies.

There are a lot of resources available at Fondren Library to conduct these research. Contact Kelley Center for Government Information for further related information research assistance: govhelp@rice.edu, Office B38 and Information Desk, Fondren Library Basement.

The new Texas election laws passed in 2021 make it harder for many young people, people with disabilities, and people of color to register and vote.

Laws like Texas Senate Bill 1 (SB1):

• Ban Drive-Thru Voting/ 24-Hour Voting
• Limit Early Voting Hours
• Cut Local Options for Casting Ballots and
• Restrict the distribution of vote-by-mail applications

New Texas voter laws restrict voting by mail. For students living away from home, especially those who typically vote by mail using another Texas address, it is safest and easiest to register and vote at your college residence address this year.