If you are turned away when trying to vote OR you were incorrectly removed from the rolls, DON'T GIVE UP – you have options!

If you run into unexpected problems at the polling place, call 866-OUR-VOTE. Save that number! They are a nonpartisan Election Protection hotline staffed with people who will be able to tell you exactly what your rights are and what procedures to request from the poll workers in your specific circumstances if you have any issues voting. Spanish language version: 888-VE-Y-VOTA

If you have a valid registration in one TX county but need to vote in a different one, and you’re voting early, you may be able to vote a limited ballot. This will probably involve going to a different polling place, and is not an option on Election Day.

If you are told that you are not eligible to vote at all (even with a limited ballot), but you genuinely believe that you are, you should never leave without at least casting a provisional ballot. They are required to be available at all polling places both during early voting and on Election Day, and the Secretary of State guidance is that “A voter should never be told he or she can’t vote a provisional ballot.” More info here.

The process is annoying, and it’s not guaranteed that your vote will be counted in the end, but it’s very possible that it will. Situations where provisional ballots do end up being counted include:

• You were previously registered to vote, and you have remained qualified, but you were erroneously removed from the rolls
• Your ID was not accepted for some reason, but you returned and provided an acceptable ID/supporting documents within 6 days. (Ideally everyone will vote early so you can just come back with the right documents and vote a normal ballot, but this is important to know if the problem happens on Election Day!)
• You requested a mail-in ballot but you did not receive and/or return it (including if it got lost in the mail etc)
• There was some kind of administrative error on their end that they were able to resolve upon further research/verification

As long as the information you provide on the provisional ballot is accurate, you don’t get in any kind of trouble if they determine that it is not eligible to be included in the count.

TL;DR: Don’t give up if you have problems voting, call 866-OUR-VOTE for help!