ALERT! Voter Registration Drives Underway
Many voter registration drives are currently underway in anticipation of the November election – an election shaping up to set records with regard to voter participation. Due to a recent ruling by the US District Court in Galveston, the public needs to be on high alert if registering to vote with the assistance of a volunteer.
A volunteer deputy registrar is authorized to both distribute and accept voter registration applications. The Court has recently determined that these volunteers may make a copy of your application. Thus, any person completing an application at a voter registration drive needs to be aware that handing that application back could result in your personal information being retained by the volunteer or their organization.
If you are concerned that your personal information may be retained, take the application, thank the volunteer for their effort, complete it, seal it, and drop it in the mailbox for delivery to our office. State law requires employees of the Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector/Voter Registrar to redact certain information on applications prior to releasing to the public, if they are requested. Since all voter applications are postage paid, you will not incur any additional cost when mailing the application directly to our offices and you can sleep comfortably knowing we will safeguard your information.
Not registered or need to update address information? Voter registration applications are available at all County Tax Offices and online at www.galcotax.com or www.VoteTexas.org. Applications are processed within a couple of days of receipt. If you have moved or misplaced your voter certificate, you may change address information or require a replacement card using the voter application. The last day to register to vote or update address information for the November election is October 9th.
If you have questions, contact the Voter Registration Department toll free at 1-888-976-2280. For information regarding voting times and locations or to obtain a mail-in ballot, contact the Elections Division of the County Clerk’s Office at 1-409-766-2207.