Today, Feb. 1, is the deadline to register to vote in the March 1 primary elections in Texas.
Not sure if your Travis County voter registration has expired? Or even whether voter registrations do expire? If you’re unsure about your voter status – or if you know you definitely do need to register – you can check yourself and get the required forms at the Secretary of State's office's website VoteTexas.gov. @VoteTexas also has a social media presence on Twitter, and representatives are responding to people’s questions posed to the Twitter account.
@billyshearerjr Yes, applications must be postmarked February 1 or earlier to vote in the March 1 Primary.
— VoteTexas (@VoteTexas) February 1, 2016
If you're ready to register to vote in Texas, start here with the application form [version en Español aquí]. You've got to fill out a hard copy, and you can obtain that form in a few different ways, generally. Since registration papers have to be postmarked by today, though, ordering a form online or via text won't get it to you in time. You'll need to either access the form (and print it out) online here, or you can obtain one and register in person at most local libraries, tax offices, Alamo Drafthouse locations and local government offices, like the Department of Public Safety office, which is also where you'd go to apply for your driver's license or I.D. card — and you'll need one of those to cast a ballot in Texas.
Completed forms just need to be postmarked by the end of today and sent to your county registrar's office, of which there's a list here. If you're running late, and the post office is closed, you can register at the main tax office at 5501 Airport Blvd. until midnight.
Early voting begins Feb. 16.
VoteTexas.gov provides a lot essential information on its site. Besides checking to see if you're registered and ordering forms, you can read your voting rights (particularly useful for those who fall under the category of voters with "special needs"), find a polling place for upcoming elections, early voting dates, what you need to do if you don't have an I.D. and want to obtain an Election Identification Certificate, how to cast a provisional ballot and more.