You May Not Actually Be Registered to Vote—Here’s Why and What to Do About It

Updated on October 28, 2024

Here, we’ll walk you through why you might not be registered, how to check your status, what to do if you need to re-register, and how to vote even if you have been suspended from the voter registry.

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, consider spending time with members of your community at our Election Night Watch Party.

Why You May Not Be Registered to Vote

One million Texans were recently removed from the state’s voter rolls. Most of the removed voters, about 463,000, were placed on the “suspense list.” (Update: After a significant purge from the voter rolls in Texas, 6,500 of which Governor Abbott claimed were purged because they were not citizens, an investigation from the Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and Votebeat USA has found “that the Governor’s claims about non-citizens on the rolls appear inflated and, in some cases, wrong.”)

Voters may be placed on a suspense list if mail from the voter registrar or a jury summons is returned as undeliverable, or when the registrar suspects a voter’s residence has changed. If this happens, the voter is sent an address confirmation form. They have 30 days to respond, or they’ll need to fill out an address confirmation when voting. If the voter doesn’t respond and skips voting in two consecutive General Elections, their registration is cancelled.

Even if you think your registration is up to date, it’s a good idea to double-check. With varying state laws, there’s always a chance that your voter status could have lapsed or become inactive due to non-participation in recent elections.

NEW! Can I Still Vote If My Status Has Been Suspended?

Yes! Even if you are suspended, you can still vote. You will simply have to sign a form or two to rectify your information at the polls. The rest of the voting process will continue as normal.

However, it is important to know if you are suspended or not, as if you do not vote in this election, you will be completely removed from the voter registry. Go vote and make sure you allot plenty of time for waiting in line and filling out any necessary paperwork.

How to Check If You’re Registered to Vote

Fortunately, confirming your registration is easy. Our PACE (Policy, Advocacy, and Community Education) team members recommend using My Voter Portal (texas.gov). This user-friendly tool allows you to check your voter registration status, find out where your polling place is located, and get key election dates. It’s a quick way to avoid any surprises on Election Day, ensuring you can exercise your right to vote without any issues.

Educating Yourself on Who Would Best Represent You

Some eligible citizens may not feel well enough informed about their candidates to warrant making the effort to confirm their voter status or complete voter registration in the first place. Our PACE team recommends visiting a few websites for quick and easy education. “Who Represents Me?” at https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/ shows a list of your current representatives and lets you know if they are running for re-election. At Vote USA, you can see a list of all candidates running in your district simply by entering your address.

How to Actually Register to Vote

If you’re not registered, here’s where things can get tricky—especially in Texas, where online voter registration isn’t available. Beware of misleading websites that claim you can register fully online. These sites often gather personal information for other purposes, such as email campaigns. In reality, filling out an online form is just the first step in registration. From there, you’ll need to print and mail in the paperwork to complete your registration.

If mailing paperwork feels inconvenient, we’ve got good news: Prism Health North Texas is making voter registration as easy as possible through our upcoming drive-thru registration event!

Spend Time in Your Community on Election Night

Election Night Watch Party

Join us on November 5th at Sue Ellen’s for our official 2024 Election Night Watch Party! This will be a non-partisan celebration of our community and our voices. Doors open at 5 p.m., where we will be giving out free drink tickets and food (first come, first served) and we’ll be walking folks to the polls to vote before they close! At 7 p.m., we will begin our event coverage with a mix of election commentary, drag performances, and community spotlighting—all hosted by Arya Jealous!

Need a break from the excitement? Then you can check out our vendor market upstairs where you can shop around for local goods and community programs. Plus, feel free to escape with karaoke on the 2nd floor stage.

Regardless of the results of the election, this will be a supportive space where everyone can be with community and connect with amazing local resources.

Organized and supported by: PHNTX, Jolt Action, TX Latino Pride, Somos Loud, Sue Ellen’s, CAVENS, DSQO, Equality Texas, Human Rights Campaign, & Lez Be Friends

Above all else, get out the vote and make your voice heard!