UVSA South Voter Guide
The information in this document is intended to provide basic information on voting and the bylaws surrounding voting in the individual states. Policies and Laws may change at any given moment, so please be diligent and do research into your respective precinct/county/state laws and procedures around voting. If you find any information to be inaccurate, inconsistent, or confusing please contact [email protected] so we may change it. This guide is meant to be updated periodically as time goes on so any critique on how we can make the information more clear is always welcome!
Updated on 2/2/2022
Welcome to your guide on all things voting! Read over and share this document to make sure you are well prepared for the upcoming elections!
This page will be updated as time goes on to reflect the most accurate information for the next election cycle. Please check the updated timestamp to ensure you're getting the most accurate information!
Voter Portals by State
Important Dates for the 2022 Calendar Year
Deadline to register to vote by state
Arkansas: Application to register to vote must be mailed 30 days before any upcoming election date.
Texas: Application to register to vote must be mailed 30 days before any upcoming election date.
Oklahoma: Application to register to vote must be mailed 25 days before any upcoming election date.
Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot
Arkansas: If submitting your application directly to the elections office, you must submit your application to receive absentee ballots by close of business the Friday BEFORE an election. If you are mailing or electronically requesting an absentee ballot then you must postmark or electronically request 7 days before an election.
Texas: Your paper application must be received by the Early Voting Clerk no later than 11 days before an election. If the 11th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the first preceding business day.
Oklahoma: Effective January 1, 2022 – The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m., the third Monday (15 days) prior to an election. You fill out the application on the online Oklahoma Voter Portal.
Deadline to RETURN an Absentee Ballot (must be in the hands of the elections office by this date)
Arkansas: If delivering your absentee ballot in person to the County Clerk, you must deliver it by close of business on the Friday before an election. If you’re mailing your ballot, it must be received by the clerks office by 7:30 PM ON election day.
Texas: Postmarked by Election Day and received no later than one day after Election Day.
Oklahoma: Received by 7PM on Election Day
Early Voting Period
See individual state election calendars linked above
General Questions and Answers
Why should I vote?
Now more than ever, your vote really does matter. Through the electoral college system, only a few thousand votes in certain key districts were the difference during the last Presidential election. The young American and Asian American Pacific Islander demographic is GROSSLY underrepresented in politics. Show up to the polls and show elected officials that your vote matters!
Who is eligible to vote?
You can register to vote all year, but you must have already been registered to vote by the deadlines above in order to participate in the November Presidential General Election. In order to be eligible to vote, you must:
- Be a US Citizen
- Be a resident of the county you submitted your application to
- Be at least 17 years and 10 months old, and be 18 years of age on Election Day
- Not be a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole depending on the state in which you reside) and/or
- You have not been declared by a court exercising parole jurisdiction to either be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote
Your registration is valid when you receive your voter registration card and/or certificate in the mail.
What do I need to do to vote?
- YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE!
If you are NOT registered to vote, go to the Registering to Vote portion of this guide- If you are unsure of your voter status, log into your state’s voter portal to check – links are at the top of this page.
- You must have a valid photo ID to present to the poll workers in person, or to include a photo copy of in an absentee ballot
- You must vote at your respective polling location for the county you live in. Use your state’s online Voter Portal to find your polling location!
If you’re a student, we recommend registering to vote at a place that you can permanently receive mail at (i.e. the home of your parents). If you wish to register in the county you are going to school at, you are welcome to do so but you can only be registered in one place at once.
What other elections are happening besides the US Presidential Election?
Every state, county, municipality, etc. will be having many smaller elections for positions such as judges, county clerks, city council, state legislature, and Congress. These elections are just as important, if not equally important for you to vote in. These individuals will be determining policies and laws that impact you specifically at a local level. Do. Your. Research. into the candidates and elections happening in your area.
Registering to Vote
Identifying Yourself at the Polls
Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas all require you to show a valid form of identification if you're voting at the polls in person.
All three states will send you a free Voter Identification Card in the mail, which can be used as valid identification at the polls if you do not otherwise have a valid Photo ID.
How to Vote
There are 3 primary ways you can vote:
For the upcoming election, the USPS postal service has stressed that you must return your absentee ballots as soon as you are able in order for them to deliver it in time. We recommend paying for extra fast shipping - paying priority mail etc with delivery confirmation - to ensure your vote is counted. Due to the influx of people wanting to vote absentee this year, there will be a lot of ballots that may not make it in time.
What is an Absentee Ballot?
An Absentee Ballot is a Ballot that is mailed to your address of residence for you to fill out and mail back by the deadline.. This is a great way to participate in voting early, if you’re disabled and can’t make it to the polls, if you’re busy on election day, or you won’t be in town on election day where you’re registered to vote.
Texas does not allow absentee ballot without a clear reason as to why you are voting absentee. COVID-19 is not considered a valid reason to participate in absentee voting.
You must have your absentee ballot in the hands of the election board BY the deadline set forth by your elections board. This means you must mail it back to them a few days prior to allow for the postal service to properly deliver it in time.
How do I get an Absentee Ballot?
You must apply for an Absentee Ballot in advance. Links to your state’s respective absentee ballot pages and applications are below:
We strongly encourage you to walk your family members and friends through the process of requesting an absentee ballot to limit COVID-19 exposure at the polls this year!
In Arkansas, absentee voters must send a copy of a document or identification card, meeting the qualifications described in “Identifying yourself at the Polls” section above, with their voted absentee ballot in order to verify their voter registration.
In Oklahoma, you must verify your identity when you submit an absentee ballot. That usually requires having your absentee ballot signed by a notary public (a service your local bank can provide for you sometimes for a small fee, or your workplace). In 2020 due to COVID-19, Oklahoma will accept a photocopy of the front of your ID.
In Texas, to be eligible to vote early by mail you must:
- 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 confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
What is Early Voting?
Early voting is an approved period of time BEFORE election day, during which you can visit certain polling locations and cast your ballot early! Especially with COVID-19 being a concern this year, Early voting will have less people than At the Polls voting and could reduce your risk of being exposed. It is still an in person form of voting.
When is Early Voting?
What do I need to bring?
You will need to bring your form of ID accepted by your state to verify your identity. Please see the “identifying yourself at the polls” section of this page!
BE SURE YOUR APPROVED FORM OF ID IS VALID AND NOT EXPIRED.
What is At the Polls Voting?
At the Polls or Going to the Polls voting means that you go in person to vote ON election day. You will stand in line, show your identification, and cast your vote that very same day. Usually, as long as you are in line you are guaranteed the opportunity to vote as long as you are in line before the official time the polls close.
When do polls open and close?
All polling locations in Texas and Oklahoma are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. In Arkansas, they are open from 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM. It is advised you go early to wait in line and allot as much time as possible to spend at the polls as lines get long. Tell your employer, professors, teachers, misc. that you intend to vote. They may give you time off to do that.
Where do I vote?
Polling Locations are broken down by precinct. Precincts are smaller zones within Counties, which are subdivisions of cities.
Texas – On your Voter Registration Certificate, there is a specific precinct number. Depending on the county you live in, you may be allowed to vote at any polling location in that county. Here is a list of Counties approved for the Countywide Polling Place Program [Link]. If you do not live within any of those counties in Texas, you will need to find your Polling Location which can be found here [Link].
Texas COVID-19 Polling Precautions Flyer
Oklahoma – You can only vote at your assigned polling place. To find out your assigned polling place, use the Voter Portal [Link] and log in using your last name, first name, and date of birth.
Arkansas – Some counties will allow you to cast your ballot at any vote center in the County. To find out if you live in one of those counties, or to check your vote center, use the Voter Portal link for Arkansas at the bottom of this page.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to bring your form of ID accepted by your state to verify your identity. Please see the “identifying yourself at the polls” section of this page!
BE SURE YOUR APPROVED FORM OF ID IS VALID AND NOT EXPIRED.
Important Information
In Texas, it is a Class C Misdemeanor to wear campaign gear to polling locations in Texas.
Resources
Find everything you need to vote in our state election centers
The Media is no stranger to political bias. Please consult this chart to make informed decisions about which sources to trust for accurate and balanced reporting for elections
Specific resources on Asian/Pacific Islander American Voting and registering to vote for your local VSA’s. Check it out for more information on AAPI voter statistics, register to vote, pledge to vote, and so much more!
Vietnamese American Voter Information and Voter Registration directory for all the states! Check and see if you’re registered to vote today. Provide your VSA and family with specifically Vietnamese resources on voter registration and voting!
UVSA South is not authorized to share or promote specific voter guides on candidates and their platforms. This is to ensure that we are not promoting or perpetuating political bias to our constituents. Please do your due diligence to research and find voter guides on candidates prior to voting.
Updated on 2/2/2022