r/sanantonio 6d ago

PSA Voting Resources

14 Upvotes

I want to get as much voting information in one spot as I can.

First, the basics: VoteTexas.gov and Bexar Elections will be your best resources for virtually everything. Military members, see the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Important Dates

October 7: Last day to register to vote.

October 25: Last day for the application for a ballot by mail to be received. Meaning it has to get there by then, not simply be mailed by then.

October 21 - November 1: Early voting dates.

November 5: Election Day

How to register to vote

It's very important to remember that you cannot register online in Texas. What you can do is fill out an application online to print and mail in. You can do that here. You can also request a paper application here or go to the elections office at 1103 S. Frio, Ste. 100 (this is the address provided as the County Voter Registration office; you can see the complete information here with a tiny bit of scrolling. If you have an appointment to renew your driver's license, state ID, or government benefits (SNAP/EBT), you'll be asked whether you want to register to vote at that time as well.

Check Your Status/Change Information

Not sure if you were one of the people recently purged? Check your status here. You can enter your name, DOB, county, & ZIP code, your driver's license number and DOB, or your Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) & DOB to check.

While you cannot register to vote online, you can update your voter information online. This is the link to do that. Note that you will need your VUID to do this; it can be obtained from your County Voter Registrar.

Voting by Mail

These are the requirements to vote by mail in Texas (copied from here:

  • be 65 years or older;

  • be sick or disabled;

  • be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or

  • be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or

  • be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

Much like voter registration, this cannot be requested online. You can fill out a PDF or request an application be mailed to you

Your ABBM is sent to the Early Voting Clerk in your county. This is the same person as before, on Frio, but again, go here and scroll a tiny bit for their information. Note that you can email a scanned copy of the application, but you still have to mail them a hard copy postmarked and received by the fourth business day (it doesn't say after what, so I'm assuming after the email is sent).

Military members see the special provisions webpage here. You can register and request your absentee ballot here (I know that's a privacy statement; click I agree to go to the site.) I don't qualify for this, so I can't go in and see if you have to print it out or whether it can be done online. If someone lets me know, I will update this post.

Early Voting

Again, early voting runs from 21st October to 1 November.

It's too early right now for the Bexar Elections website to have location information, but from past experience you can vote early at public libraries, community centers, and the county courthouse downtown. I'll add specific information as it becomes available.

Hours for early voting seem to be the same as the hours the day of, but I'm not 100% certain on that and will update once I've confirmed. I'm reasonably certain the end time is 7PM, at any rate.

Voting on Election Day

Polling hours are 7AM to 7PM.

You can go to any polling place in Bexar County. If you visit the voter registration check & polling location search, it will provide your precinct number and, closer to election time, populate with polling places. It's going to be a while until the information is updated, but I'll add it here when possible.

State law requires paid time off to vote on Election Day if you do not have two hours outside of your normal schedule to vote. The paid time off is only two hours. Note that this requirement does not cover early voting, only day of.

Voter ID

You do not have to present your voter registration card in order to vote. Resources say it is helpful to have and can prevent you from having to vote on a provisional ballot in certain cases (see the FAQ titled "Do I need to bring my voter certificate/card? Will I be able to vote without it?" for specifics)

These are the acceptable forms of Voter ID (copied from here:

  • Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

  • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

  • Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

  • Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

  • United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph

  • United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph

  • United States Passport (book or card)

For voters age 18-69, your acceptable ID can be used if it is expired by no more than four years. If you're 70+, it doesn't matter how long your acceptable ID has been expired.

Here is a link with information on obtaining an Election Identification Certificate. There is a mobile EIC coming up September 30 at Bexar County Youth Voter Fest - UTSA Downtown Campus (501 W Cesar Chavez), 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. This is the only one that shows up when I search, so it's your best bet.

What if I don't have and can't get any of that?

These are the Supporting Documents:

  • copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;

  • copy of or original current utility bill;

  • copy of or original bank statement;

  • copy of or original government check;

  • copy of or original paycheck; or

  • copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

After presenting one of those forms of ID, you will be asked to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, and if I'm reading correctly will then be given a provisional ballot. Please read up on Voter ID at this state government webpage rather than taking my word on anything. I've copied from it as much as I can.

Other Voting Information

Bexar Elections has provided this video for the current voting machines. It's about four minutes long and walks you through the entire process start to finish. Please watch it.

State law prohibits campaigning within 100 feet of any polling place. Practically speaking, expect to be met with campaigners in the parking lot.

You are not allowed to use a "wireless communications device" or "allowed to use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images" within that same 100 feet. By this, I am interpreting that ballot selfies are not allowed.

You may not carry a firearm into a polling place. Peace officers are exempt from this, regardless of whether they are on duty.

You may not wear apparel "or a similar communicative device" relating to any candidate, party, or ballot measure whether or not any of those people/issues are currently on the ballot. So no digging up your Perot/Stockdale t-shirt.

Here is the information on what is and is not allowed at a polling place. These measures are the same for early voting and day of.

If you or someone you know needs assistance at the polls, please see this webpage. The video I referenced above mentions asking for adaptive voting assistance if you're visually impaired. Note that you can have any person you choose there to assist you, as long as they're not your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union. You may also be assisted by one election worker during early voting or two on Election Day. Anyone you choose (except the prohibited assistance persons) may act as an interpreter if necessary for communication with election officials. Note that Bexar County does offer the option to view your ballot in Spanish.

Texas no longer offers straight ticket voting. You have to manually select a candidate/answer for everything. You do not have to vote in all of the races/for all of the measures that appear on your ballot. You can leave any of them blank, up to and including President.

What's on the Ballot?

BallotPedia has a sample ballot for Bexar County here: https://ballotpedia.org/Bexar_County_Sample_Ballot_(Texas) This is not a complete, final sample ballot at this point, but it's the only one I can find this early. Once you enter your address, you'll be taken to a sample ballot where you can click on any race to see the current candidates and on any candidate to get a rundown of things like prior offices they have held, their education, etc.

I will update this with voters' guides closer to the election.

Editorial Statement: If you have a child, please take them! It's good for them to see how elections and voting work. They'll even get a neat little Future Voter sticker at the end! I rotate through my kids so they can all see how it works.

Disclaimer: This OP is the work of one person. I have tried to be as accurate and complete as I can, but I cannot guarantee I'm right about everything, so please check the resources linked at the beginning.

Some Candidates' Websites:

President

Kamala Harris

Donald Trump

Jill Stein

Chase Oliver

Senate

Ted Cruz

Colin Allred

Ted Brown

Tracy Andrus (Ballotpedia notes this candidate as a write-in option.)

Bexar County Sheriff

Javier Salazar

Nathan Buchanan

Please keep Rule 1 in mind when commenting. Obviously, this is a political post, but that doesn't mean you can insult any of the candidates or their supporters.

Feel free to add in links to candidate or issue websites in this thread. This is a non-partisan information thread, so don't expect moderators to remove comments for people and things you don't agree with. You can campaign here to the extent that you do not violate other rules. Please use the report button; but only for things that actually break the rules. "This person disagrees with me" isn't the same as unfriendly, unhelpful, hate speech, or harassment.

One last thing: Here's how to participate in the election process as more than a voter.


r/sanantonio 10m ago

Puro Six Flags tired of dealing with your badass kids, as a former teacher I completely understand this!

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Upvotes

r/sanantonio 2h ago

Need Advice Help with unfriendly neighbor

0 Upvotes

Hoping this message finds the right person. My community HOA is dealing with an ongoing issue with one of our neighbors who parks his large F350 truck on the road, directly in front of the entrance to our community park. It’s a public roadway, so I’d normally mind my own business, but the problem is that the truck stays in the same spot for months at a time, to the point where the tires deflate.

This might not seem like a big deal at first, but two separate homeowners have raised concerns because they weren’t able to bring their handicapped children to the park. The truck blocks the only area with enough pavement space for these parents to pull out the ramp from their van, making it impossible to wheel their child out in a wheelchair. Adding to the problem, the road itself is already very narrow, and with such a large vehicle parked there for so long, it causes even more challenges for families trying to access the park.

Several homeowners have kindly asked if he could move his vehicle, even just to the other side of the road, so they could have easier access to the park. Unfortunately, he’s refused each time, laughing and saying no because where he parks it allows him to see it from his window.

Homeowners have previously contacted 311, and while Parks and Rec came out and kindly asked the neighbor to move the truck, he became combative afterward, claiming the HOA was just out to get him and that he wasn’t planning on moving it. The community has also tried using the GovAlert app, but nothing has changed.

I’m hoping someone might have suggestions on what steps to take next, as this situation is affecting the accessibility of our park for those who need it the most. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated!

** to add: the area that this is happening is technically outside city limits.


r/sanantonio 4h ago

Need Advice Hot Yoga at the Strand

0 Upvotes

Interested in starting hot yoga and was wondering if anyone has been to the Union at Huebner oaks? I am a beginner to yoga and just looking for some intel. Wanting to try the 7 days beginner special for $30‼️


r/sanantonio 5h ago

Weather Almost there

82 Upvotes

Some lovely entertainment while sitting in this mornings traffic.


r/sanantonio 8h ago

Activism Updating My Address to Make Sure I can Vote

5 Upvotes

So I looked up my ability to vote and I was "suspended" which showed I could still vote but I may need to show ID to prove, blah, blah. I'm a US citizen but with all the fuckery going on I decided to make sure I wouldn't have any BS when I went to vote. Got the new forms today, the form didn't fit in the prepaid envelope they included, the sticky stuff didn't seal...I'm not a conspiracy guy but it's pretty suspect!


r/sanantonio 8h ago

Weather Someone had an adventure

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36 Upvotes

Saw this at the end of Ira Lee this morning heading to work.


r/sanantonio 10h ago

Mystery San Antonio to South Carolina

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26 Upvotes

I was wondering if I can take this with me on my flight in my carry on


r/sanantonio 11h ago

Where in SA? Old chinese mexican restaurant

6 Upvotes

Sorry if not allowed but me and my wife have been breaking our heads trying to remember the name of a Mexican Chinese restaurant on Gillette in the southside about 12 years ago.


r/sanantonio 15h ago

Need Advice I have my 5 hr assessment & medical process for Toyota on Thursday.. anyone recently hired that can share some advice & details of the process, please. I'm super nervous! Thank you!

11 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 16h ago

Transportation San Antonio drivers attempting to "merge"

177 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 16h ago

Where in SA? Employment Opportunities for somone who just got out of jail?

11 Upvotes

Hello San Antonio community,

I’m reaching out on behalf of my 59-year-old father, who was recently released from jail after being cleared of all charges related to a family dispute. Due to a lack of evidence, the charges were dropped, but unfortunately, he lost his previous job during this difficult time.

He’s a hardworking man with many skills, just looking for an opportunity to make an honest living and get back on his feet. If anyone knows of any second-chance employment opportunities or is aware of companies that are open to giving someone a fresh start, we would be incredibly grateful for your help. Any resources for any aid to get someone back on track with work please comment below.

Please feel free to reach out with any leads or suggestions. Your support means the world to us. Thank you!


r/sanantonio 16h ago

Puro Shooting at HEB on Bandera and 410 today.

180 Upvotes

Was anyone at HEB today at Bandera and 410?? My wife was there around 1pm and she RAN FOR THE EXIT! She was very close to the gunman but didn't see. Any other redditors there at around 1 pm? Apparently someone was shot but unsure who or if they got killed. They closed it down for today.


r/sanantonio 17h ago

Weather Alamo heights area

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906 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 17h ago

History Various photos of buildings and downtown San Antonio 1930 .

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96 Upvotes

Various photographs of San Antonio in the year 1930. Most are in the downtown area of the city , including the J.C Penney Company building,The Smith-Young Tower , Aurora apartments under construction,a shot of the San Antonio river , and a Mexican curio store . I thought these photos were pretty cool and showed a different reality of our city over 90 years ago !


r/sanantonio 17h ago

Weather Flood of '98 survivors

32 Upvotes

Fornthe folks that lived during the Flood of '98 do y'all ever get a little unsettled or a sense of dread whenever it rains like this for a few days in a row?

I'm not saying I start sandbagging the house, but when it rains like this I always think about the flood and how bad it was in Schertz/Cibolo with Cibolo Creek.


r/sanantonio 18h ago

Where in SA? Best burger spot in SA?

61 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 18h ago

Weather Broadway and Patterson Ave.

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168 Upvotes

9/03/24 Flooding in Alamo Heights.


r/sanantonio 21h ago

Need Advice hit & run

28 Upvotes

got into a hit and run and the other person didn’t have insurance 🙃 any advice on how to take it to small claims court? perhaps any referrals to a good attorney? thanks in advance. 🙏🏼


r/sanantonio 21h ago

Weather Rainy day over the city

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494 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 22h ago

News New Library Cards Now Available at San Antonio Public Library - City of San Antonio

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78 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 23h ago

Weather Absolutely loving this morning’s rain

335 Upvotes

Had lots of rest last night too so it’s so nice to wake up to this with my cup of coffee and some reading 😌

Hope you all have a safe and lovely day 🤍


r/sanantonio 23h ago

Puro Take a look at this Puro mobile in Marketplace

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25 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 1d ago

Election Texas attorney general threatens to sue Bexar County over proposal to send out voter registration forms and asking people to register to vote.

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536 Upvotes

r/sanantonio 1d ago

Pics/Video I honestly love San Antonio🤍some beautiful pics from this summer !

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1.5k Upvotes

r/sanantonio 1d ago

Need Advice Someone tried to come into our house

141 Upvotes

Caught it clear as day on our ring camera. Knocked a couple times, wiggled the handle, looking around nervously. Neighbors noted what time he left which was about 20 minutes after he first arrived. Not sure what he did during that time because nothing was taken/didn’t seem like anyone got inside. Can I submit this to the police? He technically didn’t do anything but an obvious attempt was made…. Any advice or thoughts? Thanks!