Voting by mail in Texas is limited to voters who meet one of six statutory qualifications. For the November 3, 2026 General Election, applications must be received by Friday, October 23, 2026 — a postmark is not enough. Your application must physically reach the Elections Office by the deadline.
Who can vote by mail
Voting by mail is limited to registered voters who are:
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day;
- Sick or disabled;
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day;
- Absent from the county of registration during the entire early voting period and on Election Day;
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; or
- Confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote.
One annual application covers the whole year
An Annual Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) may be submitted on or after January 1 of the year in which you wish to receive ballots. It stays valid until December 31 of that calendar year — or until you change your registration information — and you will be sent a ballot for every election that year for which you remain eligible (Texas Election Code § 86.0015).
How to apply
Send your application as early as 60 days before the election — that leaves time to receive the ballot, mark it, and return it.
- Get an application. Download it from the Secretary of State in English or Spanish (links below), or call the Elections Office at (512) 668-4347 and we will mail one to you.
- Complete it in full, including the identification number described below. For a primary election, indicate your party preference in Section 4 — you cannot vote in both parties' primaries.
- Return it so that it arrives on time. Applications may be delivered in person or sent by mail, email, fax, or common or contract carrier. They must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 11th day before Election Day.
- Watch for your ballot. Once your application is processed, a paper ballot is mailed to the address on your application.
Application forms
Send your application to the Caldwell County Elections Office, 1403 Blackjack St., Suite A, Lockhart, TX 78644 — or by email to caldwellec@co.caldwell.tx.us, or by fax to (512) 668-1821. Statewide guidance is at VoteTexas.gov — voting by mail.
Identification numbers you must provide
Your numbers must match — in two places
Under Senate Bill 1 (effective 2022), you must write an identification number both on the application and on the ballot return envelope, and the numbers must match your voter registration record. A missing or mismatched number is the single most common reason a mail ballot application or ballot is rejected.
Provide one of the following:
- Your Texas driver license number;
- Your Texas personal identification card number;
- Your Texas Election Identification Certificate number, issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety; or
- The last four digits of your Social Security number.
Do not use your VUID. Your voter registration VUID number is not an acceptable identification number for this purpose. If you have never been issued any of the numbers listed above, you must say so by checking the appropriate box on the application.
If information is missing or does not match, the Elections Office will contact you directly where you supplied a phone number or email address when you registered; otherwise a letter is sent. If we cannot reach you, the application or ballot may be rejected.
Returning your completed ballot
A completed mail ballot must be returned to the Caldwell County Elections Office in the official carrier envelope provided with your ballot.
| Method | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States Postal Service | Postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail-delivery day after Election Day | Regular residential mail. |
| In person at the Elections Office | Election Day only, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | 1403 Blackjack St., Suite A, Lockhart. Present acceptable photo identification, or show a supporting document and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Only the voter may deliver their own ballot. |
| Common or contract carrier | Received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day | Courier, FedEx, UPS, or similar. If the carrier receipt shows a time before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, it may instead be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail-delivery day after Election Day. |
| Civilian voter abroad | Received no later than the 5th day after Election Day | See military and overseas voters below. |
| Military voter | Received no later than the 6th day after Election Day | Includes spouses and dependents. |
Military and overseas voters
Federal law defines "overseas" as anywhere outside the United States, including Canada and Mexico. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) may be used by active-duty military and their spouses and dependents voting from outside their home Texas county; members of the Texas National Guard, another state's National Guard, or the military reserves on active duty, and their spouses and dependents; members of the merchant marine and their spouses and dependents; and U.S. citizens temporarily or permanently overseas, away from their home Texas county.
It is as easy as A, B, C:
- A — Application. File your FPCA as soon as possible, and no later than the 11th day before Election Day. An FPCA is valid for one calendar year and must be resubmitted whenever you change mailing address.
- B — Ballot. On the FPCA you choose how to receive it: hard copy by mail (the default), by email as an unmarked ballot, or by common or contract carrier at your own expense. Unmarked ballots may not be faxed under Texas law.
- C — Casting and counting. Return the ballot by mail or carrier like any other mail ballot. A military voter in a hostile fire, imminent danger, or combat zone — or their spouse or dependent — may return it by fax through authorized channels.
Help and forms: the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the Federal Post Card Application forms, and VoteTexas.gov — military and overseas voters. Questions about submitting an FPCA? Email caldwellec@co.caldwell.tx.us.
Track your application and ballot
Frequently asked questions
When can I submit my Annual Application for Ballot by Mail?
On or after January 1 of the calendar year in which you wish to receive ballots (Texas Election Code § 86.0015).
How will I receive my ballot?
Once a completed ABBM or FPCA is received and processed, a paper ballot is sent by U.S. Postal Service to the address on file.
How long is the annual application valid?
From the time the early voting clerk receives it until the end of that calendar year, or until you submit a change to your registration information. It expires on December 31 regardless of when you submitted it (Texas Election Code § 86.0015(b)).
Is one annual application enough for every election that year?
Yes. You will receive a ballot for each election in that year for which you remain qualified.
Why must I state a party preference for a primary?
Because a voter cannot take part in both parties' primary elections, you must indicate a preference in Section 4 of the application so the correct ballot style is sent to you.
Can I change my mind and vote in person instead?
If you have applied for a ballot by mail and have not properly cancelled that application, you will be offered a provisional ballot at the polling place. Contact the Elections Office before Election Day if you wish to cancel a mail ballot application.
Contact the Elections Office
Caldwell County Elections Office