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Voter Registration

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Voter Registration Information

The Tax Assessor/Collector serves as Voter Registrar for the County performing voter registration activities on behalf of the Texas Secretary of State. GCTO’s Voter Registration Department is located on the first floor of the Galveston Courthouse toward the back of the Galveston Branch.

In addition to providing voter registration services, we support all elections held in Galveston County through telephone support for voters and election workers. In addition, Volunteer Deputy Registrar training (is provided on the 3rd Friday of every month at 10:00 am in the Commissioner Courtroom, 722 21st Street (Moody Avenue) in Galveston unless it falls on a Holiday in which case it will be on the following Friday).

Who is Eligible to Vote in Texas

If you are eligible to register to vote in Texas (see criteria below), you must complete an application and mail or turn it in to the proper authorities (a county registered volunteer deputy registrar or any employee of the Galveston County Tax Office). The application must be completely filled out. Failure to fully complete the application may result in delays that could impact your right to vote!

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

A United States citizen
A resident of the County where you submit the application
At least 18 years old on Election day
Not be a convicted felon (completed sentence, probation and parole) and you have not been declared by a court with probate jurisdiction to be totally or partially mentally incapacitated

If You Move — Update your Information With Us!

A change of address form filed with the USPS does NOT update your voter records when you move. You will continue to be registered to vote in the last county where you were registered. If you moved within Texas you may now update your address online at the Secretary of State website. You may also notify us in writing by completing an application or changing the address at any DPS office when changing your license. Changes may also be made to your voter certificate by noting changes on the back of the certificate and returning it to us.

Your voter certificate will be mailed within 30 days from the date the application or change is received unless an election is underway. All applications received by an election deadline are processed. Those received after a registration deadline during an election may be held until after election day. This could cause a delay in receipt of your voter certificate.

Have questions or concerns? Call the Voter Registration Department at 1-409-766-2280 (toll free at 1-888-976-2280). You may find additional information online at the Secretary of State website (www.sos.state.tx.us), via email at elections@sos.state.tx.us or by calling 1-800-252-VOTE (8683).

To learn more about registering to vote, voter ID, ballot by mail, where to vote and much more online at www.votetexas.gov.

Included both above and below, you will find an application that you pay print, complete and mail - postage is paid! Please print both pages, complete it it fully and sign, fold and mail in accordance with the instructions.

Registering to vote is the first step. Voting in each and every election is the next and most important step of all! Voice your opinion at the polls - vote!

Volunteer Deputy Registrars

Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDRs) are partners with County Voter Registrars, assisting citizens in registering to vote and educating them on the importance of voting. A high level of ethical conduct is required to be a VDR as you are responsible for protecting applicants' right to vote.

The Election Code requires VDRs to be at least 18 years of age, to not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if so, must have fully discharged the sentence, not have been finally convicted of an offense under Section 32.51 of the Penal Code (identity theft) and meet the requirements to be a qualified voter under Section 11.002 (although not required to be a registered voter). VDR terms begin after training and end December 31^st of even numbered years.

You are required by Texas law to complete in person training (in Galveston or another County). This training is held the third Friday of each month at 10:00 am in the Commissioners Courtroom, Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody in Galveston.

Print and complete the VDR Application for Appointment in English (VOT 26-VDR Application 2.20.2024) or in Spanish (VOT 26 Spanish Application) and submit it to the Voter Registration Department via fax, email or bring it to any monthly training class on the third Friday of the month.

Email: Galcotax@co.galveston.tx.us
Fax: 409-766-2479

VDRs trained in other counties seeking appointment in our County may also use the VDR applications shown above. Make sure to include a copy of your other county certificate along with your application.

Renewing VDRs

VDRs who have completed the in person training (with us or another Texas County), may “re-up” via the online application and training program. Those wishing to renew online should complete this online renewal application (VOT 26-VDR Application for Renewal Appointment), or in Spanish ( Solicitud de Reelección Voluntario Subsecretario para el Condado de Galveston) and email it to galcotax@co.galveston.tx.us or bring it to any monthly training class (next class is January 20th). You will be emailed the power point presentation/mandated training program and instructions on how to validate renewal. You may also request additional forms (logs, applications, etc.) using the online renewal application.

Upon completion of training, you will receive a VDR handbook, Certificate of Appointment, VDR name badge, identification card, voter applications, registration supplies and the authority to distribute and receive voter applications within Galveston County. Please refer to the VDR Handbook for additional information.

All materials are available in Spanish (see below). Training in Spanish can be accomplished upon request. Please email galcotax@co.galveston.tx.us and include Request for VDR Training in Spanish in the subject line.

PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Election Code provides that unintentional failure to deliver a completed application is a Class C misdemeanor. Intentional failure to deliver a completed application is a Class A misdemeanor. Acting as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar without an official appointment is a Class C misdemeanor.