The Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division gives high priority to the ballots of military and overseas voters. They are processed as quickly as ballots become available, making every effort to ensure that ballots will reach their intended recipients with sufficient time for a prompt return.
Members of the U.S. armed forces and merchant marines, their dependents, and U.S. citizens abroad are eligible to vote early by mail and, if necessary, to register to vote. (Federal voting law defines “overseas” as anywhere outside the territorial United States; for example, Canada and Mexico are considered overseas.)
The Travis County Clerk's Office is committed to creating a "safe haven" for voters so that they can exercise their right to vote in a polling place with a non-intimidating, supportive environment. We believe in making all polling places fully accessible and we're seeking input from the community to assure that accessibility. We believe that all voters have the right to cast their ballot independently and privately. To meet these goals, Travis County's efforts include:
Offering ES&S ExpressVote voting equipment and a system of electronic voting that meets disability standards as prescribed by the Texas Secretary of State and Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements,
Working to ensure that 100 percent of all polling locations are accessible in accordance with standards set forth by the United States Department of Justice,
Providing education and training to election workers on methods to best assist voters with disabilities and voters 65 years of age and older, and
Providing voter outreach through demonstrations and educational materials.
Travis County's voting system meets the disability standards as prescribed by the Texas Secretary of State and Federal Help America Vote Act. These features allow voters to cast their votes privately, securely, and without assistance.
The paper-based ExpressVote Universal Voting System uses touch-screen technology in a Ballot Marking Device (BMD) that produces a paper record for tabulation. As a BMD, the ExpressVote handles the entire marking process, eliminating marginal marks and the need for interpretation of the voter's mark.
Voters who are visually impaired or blind may choose to use headphones to hear the ballot read aloud. The audio is recorded in both English and Spanish.
Voters with limited dexterity or limited upper body mobility may vote by using the tactile input switches on the equipment. Sip-and-puff accessibility is also available.
Our customized voting tables make all the voting machines wheelchair accessible.
Voters with disabilities may request the option of "curbside voting." In this case, a poll worker brings a voting unit to the voter's vehicle.
The Travis County Clerk's Elections Division is dedicated to making all polling places fully accessible (including the pathway to the polling place) and seeking input from the community to ensure that accessibility. Polling places are inspected to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for Polling Places, and election workers are trained to offer support to persons with special needs.
You are entitled to receive assistance if you cannot read or write or if you have a physical disability that prevents you from reading or marking the ballot. You may be assisted by a person of your choice who is not your union representative or employer. Under certain circumstances, election workers are also available upon request to assist you.
Pursuant to Section 63.0013, Election Code: An election officer may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move around.
If you cannot speak English, or if you communicate only with sign language, you may use an interpreter to help you communicate with election officials at the polling place. You may select anyone to be your interpreter. If you cannot read the languages on the ballot, your interpreter may also assist you by translating the language on the ballot for you in the voting booth. If you have a hearing impairment and do not have a sign language interpreter who can accompany you to communicate with the poll worker or read the ballot for you, please use RelayTexas (dial 7-1-1) in order to contact us at (512) 238-VOTE (8683) or (512) 854-4996.
If you are physically unable to enter the polling place, you may ask that an election officer bring a voting unit to you at the entrance of the polling place or to a car at curbside. You can vote curbside during early voting or on Election Day.
Voters are encouraged to contact us ahead of time so that we can notify the polling location that you are planning to vote curbside so that they can watch for your arrival. You can call us at (512) 238-VOTE (8683) or (512) 854-4996.
Voters with a disability may apply for a permanent exemption. The application must contain written documentation either from the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing he or she has been determined to have a disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. Exemption applications in English and Spanish are available at TravisCountyTax.org.
Voters 18 years of age and older with disabilities, voters 65 years of age and older, and voters who expect to be out of the county during both the early voting period and election day may request a ballot be mailed to them. Applications for a Ballot by Mail are also available from the Travis County Elections Department.
If you have questions or want to provide feedback about accessibility issues, please contact our Disability Coordinator by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by (512) 238-VOTE (8683) or (512) 854-4996.
With one of the largest student populations in a single county within Texas, the Travis County Clerk is committed to providing a supportive environment for busy students who want to make sure their voice is heard at the ballot box.
State law requires that a political party’s nominees in the general election for offices of state and county government and the United States Congress be nominated by primary election if the party’s nominee for governor in the most recent gubernatiorial general election received 20 percent or more of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the election.
Other parties’ candidates may also appear on the ballot, however, their candidate selections are made through a convention process. Individuals with no party affiliation can also file as independent candidates.
Information on the larger political parties is provided below. If you need information on filing as an independent candidate, please contact us at (512) 854-4996 or call the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (512) 463-5650.
By becoming an election worker, you can help your community and be a part of this country's great democratic process!
Now hiring temporary election workers for the November 06, 2018 elections; applications are available at the Election office, 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, Texas 78751 or call 512-854-4996 for more information.
Dana has always been inspired by public service. Her interest led her to obtain a Masters Degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and ultimately to run for public office. Since her election as County Clerk in 1986, Dana has devoted herself to bringing high ethical standards, effective and cost efficient management practices, the benefits of new technology, and high quality customer service to the office of the County Clerk. The Clerk’s Office has a wide range of responsibilities including the conduct of elections; the filing and preservation of real property records; and the management of civil, probate, and misdemeanor court documents.... Read More
The Travis County Clerk maintains the county's records, administers elections, and oversees legal documentation (such as property deeds, marriage licenses and assumed name certificates).
