Does my vote matter?
Elections have tremendous impact in your community and everyday life. Most people primarily vote in major federal elections, but local elections tend to have more of an impact on families and local small business owners. Local elections can change your direct community more directly and specifically than large federal elections that impact the entire country. These issues can pertain to how much resources your local schools get, how often roads get repaired, public transportation, job security, crime prevention. Local elections also enable you to elect officials that will have a more direct impact on how your tax dollars are spent and what kind of resources your immediate community has access to.
What does a Justice of the Peace do?
A Justice of the Peace may issue warrants of search and arrest, perform marriages, and conduct preliminary hearings over minor criminal and civil cases, traffic offenses, and bail hearings.
Elections have tremendous impact in your community and everyday life. Most people primarily vote in major federal elections, but local elections tend to have more of an impact on families and local small business owners. Local elections can change your direct community more directly and specifically than large federal elections that impact the entire country. These issues can pertain to how much resources your local schools get, how often roads get repaired, public transportation, job security, crime prevention. Local elections also enable you to elect officials that will have a more direct impact on how your tax dollars are spent and what kind of resources your immediate community has access to.
A Justice of the Peace may issue warrants of search and arrest, perform marriages, and conduct preliminary hearings over minor criminal and civil cases, traffic offenses, and bail hearings.
What should I know before I cast my vote?
Better voting begins with more informed voting. For that reason, it is important to do some research into the experience, education, and values of the person you are voting to elect. That research should not only consist of a candidate's statements or website, but also third party, non-biased sources. With so much information available, this can be daunting. The most important consideration to remember when researching a candidate is to spend some time thinking about the validity and authority of the source you are using. It is best to stick to official news articles, county and public records, and official sources rather than social media.
Another important consideration to take into account is the effect of outside influence on the candidates running for office. This influence is commonly referred to as lobbying. While this is more prevalent in large federal elections, it is still an important consideration in local elections. For that reason, it is also important to look at where candidates are receiving campaign contributions from and how they are spending the money they receive. Fortunately, Harris County has transparency laws that require candidates to release campaign donations and expenditures. This information is available to the public and can be found on the Harris County Clerk's Office's website.
Better voting begins with more informed voting. For that reason, it is important to do some research into the experience, education, and values of the person you are voting to elect. That research should not only consist of a candidate's statements or website, but also third party, non-biased sources. With so much information available, this can be daunting. The most important consideration to remember when researching a candidate is to spend some time thinking about the validity and authority of the source you are using. It is best to stick to official news articles, county and public records, and official sources rather than social media.
Another important consideration to take into account is the effect of outside influence on the candidates running for office. This influence is commonly referred to as lobbying. While this is more prevalent in large federal elections, it is still an important consideration in local elections. For that reason, it is also important to look at where candidates are receiving campaign contributions from and how they are spending the money they receive. Fortunately, Harris County has transparency laws that require candidates to release campaign donations and expenditures. This information is available to the public and can be found on the Harris County Clerk's Office's website. After clicking the button below, simply type in the name of the candidate you wish to view reports for.
What do I need to do in order to vote?
Before heading to a polling office, you need to make sure you are registered to vote in the county you live in. In Texas, you are eligible to register to vote if you meet all of the following criteria:
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You are a United Stated citizen
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You are a resident of the county where you submit your voter application
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You are at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day
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You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole)
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You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote
You can check if you are already registered, update your registration information, or submit a new voter registration all online by clicking the link below.
What do I need to do in order to vote?
Before heading to a polling office, you need to make sure you are registered to vote in the county you live in. In Texas, you are eligible to register to vote if you meet all of the following criteria:
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You are a United Stated citizen
-
You are a resident of the county where you submit your voter application
-
You are at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day
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You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole)
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You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote
You can check if you are already registered, update your registration information, or submit a new voter registration all online by clicking the link below.
After ensuring that you are registered in your county, make sure you have the proper documentation needed to submit your vote. This can be one of seven different forms of ID, including Texas Driver License, Texas Personal ID Card, Texas Handgun License, Texas Election ID Certificate, U.S. Citizenship Certificate with Photo, U.S. Military ID Card, and U.S. Passport. Once you have identification in hand, it's time to head to your nearest polling location. These are commonly public places like recreation centers, libraries, community centers, educational buildings, and government buildings. You can locate your most convenient polling location for both early voting and election day voting using the link below.