In 1987, Texas became the first state to allow early voting, increasing the opportunity to cast an in-person ballot before election day. Voting by mail also is available to certain Texans. In Texas, all registered voters can cast a ballot during the early voting period without giving a reason.

Voting by mail is more limited in Texas than in some other states. To qualify, you must be 65 years old or older; be sick or have a disability; be out of the county on election day or during early voting; be expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after election day; or, in some cases, be currently imprisoned.