Voting and Election: Welcome
Message from Government Information Coordinator
Wecome to this LibGuide!
This LibGuide is created and maintained by Anna Xiong, Kelley Center for Government Information. We have selected links to guide you start to search and access current and historical resources about elections and voting for research, teaching, and civic engagement.
- You may use the tabs on top of the page to navigate through the information collected on this reosurce guide.
- You may contact Anna Xiong [jax2@rice.edu, or vdvr@rice.edu, 713.348.6212], who is the Government Information Coordinator, also the FDLP Representative at Fondren Library for any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions about this research guide.
2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Elections/ Voting
GET READY FOR ELECTIONS
- 2024 Important Dates / Texas Secretary of StateLast Day to Register to Vote - Monday, October 7, 2024
First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance -Monday, October 21, 2024
Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) - Friday, October 25, 2024
Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance - Friday, November 1, 2024
Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail - Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (Election Day) at 7:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is not postmarked, OR Wednesday, November 6, 2024 (next business day after Election Day) at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military voter deadlines apply)4
Am I registered? (Texas Secretary of State)
Official Texas Voter Registration Name & Address Change | Texas.gov
2024 Important Dates / Texas Secretary of State
| Last Day to Register to Vote [spring] | Monday, February 5, 2024 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote [spring] | Thursday, April 4, 2024 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote [spring] | Monday, April 29, 2024 |
| Last Day to Register to Vote [fall] | Monday, October 7, 2024 |
- 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)
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:
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- Read Quality News. Stay informed about what’s going on in the world and what issues are at stake.
- Research the candidates. Be aware of not only who is running, but also the positions and policies of candidates.
- 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.
- Election Results / Harris CountyLive results, early voting, archives, election rosters, election reports.
Highlight: Your Major on the Ballot
- Your Major on the BallotThink your major has nothing to do with politics? Are you “just not a political person”? Think again.
National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day
Request Fondren Library's Voter Registration Event Kits
Fondren Library Voter Registration Events
EARN VDVR CERTIFICATE
All VDVR certificates expire by the end of odd year, e.g. 2024. So plan to take the training again next year to renew your certificate which will be valid for 2025 and 2026.
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Virtual training. Harris County offers virtual Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar (VDVR) training. Click the link to check the schedule and register:
https://www.hctax.net/Voter/Deputy
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On-site training at Rice University. Fondren Library Kelley Center for Government Information is planning to offer on-site training conducted by the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office, which will be hosted at Fondren Library. There will be two tentative dates for the training: (The content of both training sessions is identical.)
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August 15: 12pm-1pm (complete) -
September 19: 3pm-4pm (Click Here to Register)
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