Every state except North Dakota requires citizens to register if they want to vote in state and federal elections. In North Dakota, eligible citizens can simply appear at the polls with the required identification and be permitted to vote.
Depending on the state, the voter registration deadline could be as much as a month before an election. Each state has its own voting and election laws, including when and how to register to vote. In many states registration may be completed online. A citizen may also register at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), at the local elections office, or through a voter registration organization.
Voter registration laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the elections code.
In Texas, citizens must register to vote in both state and federal elections. The state requires individuals to register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote. Texans can register to vote through various methods, including online (if they have a Texas driver's license or state-issued ID card), by mail, or in person at the county voter registrar's office. Additionally, registration is available at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) when applying for or renewing a driver's license, and at other designated government offices. The relevant laws governing voter registration in Texas can be found in the Texas Election Code, which outlines the procedures, deadlines, and requirements for voter registration.
