You May Not Actually Be Registered to Vote—Here’s Why and What to Do About It
Published: 08-30-2024 | 2 MIN READ | Author: Prism Health North Texas
As election season approaches, you’ve likely heard reminders to confirm your voter registration status. It’s easy to assume you’re already registered, especially if you’ve voted in the past.
But the truth is, many people find out too late that their registration is no longer valid.
Here, we’ll walk you through why you might not be registered, how to check your status, and what to do if you need to re-register.
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.”
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.
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!
Nonpartisan Voter Registration Drive-Thru (with Goodie Bags!)
September 17th is National Voter Registration Day, and the PHNTX PACE team wants to ensure that registration is both easy and FUN for those in our community.
Our Voter Registration Drive-Thru event will take place from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at our South Dallas Health Center (4922 Spring Ave, Dallas, TX 75210).
Whether or you register to vote or not, driving through comes with perks! Our goodie bags contain a series of FREE sexual health products and handy branded items. Swing by to pick up some swag and support your local community.
What’s in the Goodie Bag?
- Nice Package: includes a free package of condoms and an at-home HIV test.
- PHNTX Swag: tumblers, journals, stickers, and more!
At the event, you can also fill out a Pledge Card, committing to vote in the upcoming election. We’ll mail you a list of key dates, so you don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard.
If you’re not able to make the event, no need to worry: You have until October 7th to register to vote for the upcoming election. If you need to register or update your address, please reach out to PACE Coordinator Javier Enriquez at [email protected] for assistance.
Get out and make your voice heard!
