The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

First-time voter registration guide: taking baby steps to register to vote

First-time voter registration guide: taking baby steps to register to vote - The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Psychology freshman, Adriana Shoven attends the Paws to the Poll event on Sept. 17, 2024 in CAB's Courtyard. Shoven speaks with Nicole Lehmann, director at large for the League of Women Voters' of The San Antonio Area, on how the process for voting at the polls works using the voting machines. Photo by Kimberly Bustos-Diaz

As the 2024 general elections approaches, organizations prepare to register first-time voters ahead of the Oct. 7 deadline, with early voting set to begin Mon. Oct. 21.

The upcoming election has led to conversations about the challenges people face when trying to register and vote. 

Bexar County Regional Organizer with MOVE Texas Alexandra Brkic spoke to The Mesquite, sharing advice for first-time voters and encouraging them to take it one step at a time.

“I know that voting for the first time can be kind of intimidating,” said Brkic. “The best advice I could offer is try to become engaged in baby steps.”

These are the “baby steps” to follow:

ONE: Visit a website that provides information about voting, such as VoteTexas.gov, movetexas.org, or vote.org

All of these websites offer resources to those looking for information about voting, including checking registration status, polling sites, voter registration deadlines and how to register to vote.

TWO: Begin your registration process.

To register, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 17 years and 10 months old. But you must be 18 years old by Election Day. If you’re unable to print the application, you can request a mailed copy, visit a local voter registrar or register at public libraries. 

“You must have residency in Texas or in the county you are registering to vote,” Brkic said. “You can’t register to vote in another county if you don’t live there.”

Online voting registration is not yet available in the state of Texas. This is why a paper application is needed.

THREE: Fill in the Voter Registration Form

The voter registration form will ask for the information below. 

  • First and last name (middle and former name if applicable)
  • Residence address
  • Mailing address (if it’s different than your residence address)
  • Full birthdate (month/day/year)
  • Texas Driver’s License/ID Number OR last four digits of your Social Security number

FOUR: Print the completed form and sign

  • Once the application is completed, print it and sign it.

FIVE: Mail in or drop off your registration form

After you have signed and dated your application, mail in your voter registration form to the voter registration officials assigned to your county. You can mail in your form through the mail room at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, located in the Central Academic Building, as long as the envelope is properly addressed and has the proper postage stamp. 

Please refer to the Send Mail: Step-by-Step Instructions visual guide from USPS to learn how to properly address an envelope.

You can also drop off your application at your county’s election office, the Bexar County Elections Department is located at 1103 S. Frio St. Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78207.

SIX: Receive your voter registration certification and vote

Applicants receive their voter registration card via mail, usually around 30 days after the application is submitted and mailed in.

You can take this voter registration card to your polling site when it’s time to vote, but you must also bring a form of photo identification, such as a state I.D or driver’s license.

For a visual step-by-step guide on how to register to vote, please visit The Mesquite story “How to: Register to Vote”. 

A&M-San Antonio students shared their experience with first-time voting registration, including psychology sophomore Emerald Alaniz.

“I did not have any challenges registering to vote. It was a pretty easy process for me,” Alaniz said when recalling her registration experience. “Registering to vote, It’s an easy process. Take your time. As long as you register to vote and you plan to vote […] I think that’s the most important thing for this upcoming election.”

Once you have successfully registered to vote, remember that early voting is open Oct. 21 to Nov. 1, and Election Day is Nov. 7.

Although there might be some hesitation for students to become active politically, history junior Logan Adams shares why they think others should register to vote.

“Voting is casting an opinion and approval of policy in a country,” Adams said. “It’s not you as an individual but you as a community. Your vote supports the community.”

Brkic and other nonprofit organizations are working round the clock until the deadline to register to vote by providing support and resources for students who feel overwhelmed or unsure about the process.

To check if your voter registration status is up to date, head over to VoteTexas.gov.

 

About the Authors

Christopher Valdovinos
Christopher Valdovinos is a communications junior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio minoring in marketing. Aside from attending school full-time, he works as a Certified Academic Advisor at his alma mater St. Philip’s College where he earned his associate degree in cybersecurity. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and looking for ways to refine his photography skills. Upon graduating, he hopes to pursue a career in public relations or photojournalism.
Kimberly Aguilar
Kimberly Aguilar is a communications senior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio minoring in sociology. Being influenced by pop culture at a young age, she has always known that her career had to involve the media. She hopes to pursue a career in public relations. When not at school, she enjoys attending concerts, listening to K-pop, and being with family.
Esmy Infante
Esmy Infante is a communications senior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio minoring in women and genders studies. They are the Community Manager and Overwatch 2 Team Captain for the TAMUSA Esports program. After graduating, they plan on entering the esports industry either through content creation or as an Esports Coordinator. When they are not on campus, they are enjoying their time playing videos games, or working at the LAN Gaming Center at Tech Port.

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