Learn how civic life works

Check your registration

Visit votetexas.gov or call 713-755-6965 to confirm you are registered. You need to be registered at least 30 days before an election.

Find your polling place

Harris County uses countywide voting -- you can vote at any location. Check harrisvotes.com for locations and wait times.

Know the early voting dates

Early voting runs for two weeks before election day. Lines are shorter and locations are the same as election day.

Bring valid ID

Texas accepts: Texas driver license, Texas personal ID, Texas handgun license, US passport, military ID, or US citizenship certificate with photo.

Vote on election day

Polls open 7am to 7pm. If you are in line by 7pm, you can vote. Bring your ID and patience.

Check your ballot

Before the election, look up your sample ballot at harrisvotes.com to know what races and propositions are on it.

Find your representative

Use our representatives tool to find who represents you at every level of government.

Decide: call, email, or visit

Phone calls have the most impact. Emails are good for detailed concerns. In-person visits to district offices are most powerful.

Prepare what you want to say

Be brief. State your name, that you are a constituent, the issue, your position, and what you want them to do. One issue per call.

Make the call

Call during business hours. You will likely speak to a staff member, not the official. That is normal -- staff track and report constituent concerns.

Follow up

If you do not get a response in two weeks, call again. Persistence matters. Elected officials track how many times an issue comes up.

Find upcoming meetings

Check our events page for city council, commissioner court, school board, and neighborhood meetings near you.

Know what to expect

Public meetings follow an agenda. There is usually a public comment period where anyone can speak for 2-3 minutes.

Sign up to speak (if you want)

Many meetings require signing a speaker card before the meeting starts. Arrive 15 minutes early. You do not have to speak -- just attending matters.

Prepare your comment

State your name and neighborhood. Be specific about the issue and what you want. Stay calm and concise. Written copies for council members help.

What happens after

Council members and commissioners consider public input in their decisions. Meeting minutes are public record. You can follow up with your representative.