How to request an absentee ballot in Fort Worth ahead of November general election

The 2024 general election is just around the corner, which means the days until November’s voting are drawing closer.

But if you’re otherwise occupied on Election Day, you can still make sure your voice is heard in Texas.

Registered voters who can’t make it to their polling place on Election Day have options in Fort Worth for still casting their ballot, including vote-by-mail and in-person early voting.

But there are steps you need to take ahead of time to participate and deadlines to be aware of. Here’s what to know about absentee voting in Tarrant County:

HOW TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IN FORT WORTH

Any registered Tarrant County voter is eligible to request a ballot by mail, according to the Tarrant County government website.

You can request your absentee ballot under certain conditions if you are:

• 65 years of age or older.
• Have a disability or illness that prevents you from appearing at a polling place.
• Are expected to give birth at least three weeks before or after Election Day.
• Are expected to be absent from Tarrant County during both the early voting period and on Election Day.
• Are jailed (non-felony conviction or involuntary commitment).

Applications for a ballot by mail may be submitted throughout the calendar year, beginning Jan. 1, and must be received by our office no later than the close of business on the eleventh day before Election Day, according to the county website.

Under Senate Bill 5, “it is now required for an applicant submitting an application for ballot by mail via fax or e-mail to also submit an application for ballot by mail via mail.”

In order for a faxed or email application for ballot by mail to be effective, a mailed application for ballot by mail must be received within four business days of the submission of the application by fax or email, Tarrant County Elections said.

Applications can be mailed to Tarrant County Elections, P.O. Box 961011, Fort Worth, Texas 76161, or by “express courier delivery” to Tarrant County Elections, 2700 Premier St., Fort Worth, Texas 76111.

They can also be faxed to 817-850-2344 or sent by email to votebymail@tarrantcountytx.gov.

If you’re in the military, the immediate family of someone in the military, or a U.S. citizen living abroad, you are eligible to use the Federal Post Card Application to request a ballot by mail. The FPCA also serves as an application for voter registration for eligible citizens not currently registered to vote.

WHEN DOES EARLY VOTING BEGIN IN FORT WORTH?

Here are the key voting requirements and dates ahead of the general election on Nov. 5:

• First day to apply for a ballot by mail: Monday, January 1, 2024
• Last day to register to vote: Monday, October 7, 2024 (Postmarked)
• Last day to apply for Ballot by Mail: Friday, October 25, 2024 (Received)
• Early voting: Monday, October 21, 2024 - Friday, November 1, 2024