HOUSTON — Voting by mail works differently depending on the state, so let's break down how to vote by mail here in Texas.
First up, you have to request a mail-in ballot and you can download the application on VoteTexas.gov. In order to qualify, you must be 65 years or older, sick or disabled, out of the country during early voting and Election Day, expected to give birth three weeks before or after Election Day or in jail but otherwise eligible.
You will need a Texas driver license, Texas personal identification number, election certificate, or the last four digits of your Social Security number to complete that application. You can then send it in to your county clerk. Their name and address on that same VoteTexas.gov site.
The deadline to get that application in is October 25. Once you get your mail-in ballot, you mark down who or what you want to vote for, then place it in the envelope marked ballot envelope and seal it up the envelope in the carrier envelope.
Now this part is important and has caused trouble for some voters.
Before you seal the carrier envelope, you will need to write on the envelope on the line provided the numbers from your driver license, personal ID card, or election certificate, or those last four digits of your Social Security number.
You want to use the ID that is associated with your voter registration. If, for example, you can't remember, you used your driver license or Social Security number, you can put down both.
Then you sign the carrier envelope and slap on your postage. You will want to get in the mail quickly so it can reach its destination by Election Day.