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Elections

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1. Who can Register?

You are eligible to register and vote if you are:

A)a citzen of the United States,
B)a resident of Hidalgo County,
C)at least 17 years and 10 months of age and you most be 18 years of age by election day,
D)not declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
E)not a convicted felon, if so convicted you have:

1)fully discharged your sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or,
2)been pardoned or otherwise release from the resulting disability to vote.

2. When can I register to Vote?

You can register any time, however, you must be registered to vote 30 days before an election in which you plan to vote.

3. Where can I register to vote?

Voter registration applications are available at:

Hidalgo County Elections Department 101 S. 10th Ave, Edinburg, TX

Texas Department of Public Safety Offices (DPS)
Public Libraries
Additionally, you may obtain an application by calling the Voter Registration Office at (956)318-2570

4. How often do I have to register to vote?

You only need to register one time, however, if you have an address change or name change you will need to notify our office in writing as soon as possible.

5. Am I able to change my address or apply for VR card online?

Although you cannot apply online, you can go to (www.hgoco.net/elections) where you can update your address information but only if you are currently registered to vote. On that page you will see on the right toolbar a link where you can update your VR information. When making your update, you'll need your voter ID#. Make sure you leave off any beginning zeros. The SOS and the elections website also has applications to download, fill it out completely, place it in an envelope and mail it to us. This can take about 30 days.

6. I can't find my voter certificate/card. Will I be able to vote without it?

If you are a registered voter and you have lost or misplaced your voter certificate, you may vote without your certificate by providing some form of identification (see list below) and signing an affidavit at the polls. This is the procedure to follow if your voter registration is still current and your name appears on the voter rolls in your county of residence. You may also contact your county voter registrar to obtain a replacement certificate.
Acceptable documents are:

1. a driver's license or personal identification card issued to you by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired;

2. a form of identification containing your photograph that establishes your identity;

3. a birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes your identity;

4. United States citizenship papers issued to you;

5. a United States passport issued to you;

6. official mail addressed to you, by name, from a governmental entity;

7. a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address; or

8. any other form of identification prescribed by the secretary of state.

7. Must a Texas Drivers License (TDL)# be provided on a VR application?

Yes, this is new legistation but other information can included in place of the TDL# (such as the last four digits of a social security number).

8. What if I move?

If you have recently moved, please provide our office with your new address as soon as possible. This process will help with the delivery of your voter registration certificate

9. How can I find out if I am registered to vote or if you have my correct address?

You can call the voter registration office at 318-2570 and they will verify your registration. If you are not registered to vote or have an incorrect address our office will mail you a voter registration application.

10. What do volunteer deputy registrars do?

A volunteer deputy registrar may accept applications for voter registration from residents of Hidalgo County who are not already registered to vote.

A volunteer deputy registrar may accept change forms from registered voters who wish to change inoformation on their voter registration certificates.

A volunteer deputy registrar may hand out applications for requesting replacements for missing voter registration certificates.

A volunteer deputy registrar may assist persons in filling out forms.

A volunteer deputy registrar may fill out the application of change form for anyone who requests assistance if the person cannont read or has a phyiscal disability.

11. Who may serve as a volunteer deputy registrar?

A person who is at least 18 years of age.

12. Who may NOT become a volunteer deputy registrar?

A person who has not reached the age of 18 years or a person who has been finally convicted of failing to deliver an application to the voter registrar.

13. How do I get the voter registration cancelled if my family memeber is deceased?

Send a letter requesting cancellation to the Voter Registration Office stating that the voter is deceased. Include the name of the voter, registration address and date of birth. Sign your name and record your relationship to the voter beside your name (i.e husband, wife, son, daughter, etc).

14. I want to speak to somone in the Republican/Democratic party or contact a particular candidate.

The phone numbers of the of parties are, Republicans: 787-1920 or 583-0002, Democrats: 787-8082.

The candidates file with the party and therefore can provide their campaign headquaters' phone number. If those numbers do not work, dial (1411) for information as the Elections Office does not carry contact numbers for candidates.

15. I just moved into Hidalgo County but never registered to vote. This being Election Day, can I still pratice my right to vote?

Are you registered in another county? When did you move? Otherwise, you can fill out a VR card to register you for the next election. A provisional ballot can also be offered but will not be counted if you are not registered.

16. How much time does a person have to respond to a supplemental letter?

A person has 10 days to respond to a supplemental letter once it has been sent out. They are sent out initially because the information was insufficient on the application.

17. I'm going on a trip to Mexico and they told me I need my voter registration card to get back. I don't have it. Can you send me one or can I come in and get it?

The voter certificate will take 2 weeks to 30 days or you can retrieve a certified copy of your records by coming to the office. We need something in writing requesting us to mail you a replacement card. If you come in, we can give you a letter certifying your voter registration for 15 cents per page. However, we can't gurantee that teh custom officials will allow you to use the letter as a form of ID. Since 9/11/2001, it is no longer accepted as part of Homeland Secruity procedures.