Election Information

New Rules for Voting by Mail

There is a new application for 2022. The old applications will not be accepted. An application must be submitted in writing and signed in ink - electronic signatures, photocopied signatures, or signatures in pencil are NOT allowed. Election officials may not distribute mail-in ballots or an application for a mail-in ballot to anyone who did not submit a request for an application. Early voting applications must include the applicant's driver's license number or Department of Public Safety-issued personal identification number (DPS PIN). An applicant without a driver's license or DPS PIN must declare that and include the last four digits of their social security number. If a voter uses a different number on the application and ballot, the ballot will be rejected.

McLennan County registered voters are eligible to request and receive a ballot by mail if any of the following conditions prevents them from voting in person during the early voting period or on election day:

1. Expected absence from the County during both the early voting period and on election day. (The ballot must be mailed to an address outside the County.)
2. Disability
3. 65 years of age or older
4. Confinement in jail and not finally convicted of a felony.
5. Be expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day.

Instructions for submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM):

1. Print the ABBM form.
2. OR submit an order online and an ABBM will be mailed to you.
3. Complete Sections 1 through 8.
4. Sign and Date Section 10.
5. If you are unable to sign the application and someone witnessed your signature, that person must complete Section 11.
6. If someone helped you complete the application or mailed the application for you, that person must complete Section 11.
7. Affix postage.
   1. a. If you printed the application you must place it in your own envelope and add postage.
   2. b. If you ordered the application online and it was mailed to you - fold the application in half, moisten the top tab, seal, and add postage.
8. Address and mail the completed ABBM to the Early Voting Clerk: 214 N 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco, TX 76701; You may also fax the application: to 254-757-5041; You also have the option of emailing the McLennan County's Elections Division a scanned copy of the completed and signed application. If an ABBM is faxed or emailed, the original hard copy of the application must be mailed and received by the early voting clerk no later than the 4th business day.

View the McLennan County's Election page to look up your Mail Ballot Activity to see if the Elections Office has received your ballot-by-mail application.

On August 10, 2016, a federal district court entered an order changing the voter identification requirements for all elections held in Texas after August 10, 2016, until further notice. As a result, voters who have obtained an acceptable form of photo identification for voting listed below are still required to present it in order to vote in person in all Texas elections. The acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for up to four years.

Voters who have not been able to obtain one of the forms of acceptable photo identification listed below, and have a reasonable impediment or difficulty in obtaining such identification, may present a supporting form of identification and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter's reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, and stating that the voter is the same person on the presented supporting form of identification.

This requirement is effective immediately.

Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

1. Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
2. Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
3. Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
4. Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
5. United States military identification card containing the person's photograph
6. United States citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph
7. United States passport

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 4 years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

Read more about the Texas Secretary of State - Elections Division.

To run for City Council, a candidate must file for office within the posted filing period. In addition, see below for qualifications outlined by the City of Bellmead Charter and the State of Texas Election Code.

Bellmead Home Rule Charter Qualifications

• Must be a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bellmead for at least the previous 2 years.
• Must be at least 18.
• Must not be delinquent on any indebtedness to the City.
• City employees are not eligible to file.
• May not hold any other elected public office.
• Candidates may only file for one office per election.
• Texas Eligibility Requirements for Public Office

Citizen of the United States

• 18 years old
• Have not been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment in court
• No felony convictions
• Resided in the state continuously for the previous 12 months
• Must satisfy any other eligibility requirements prescribed by law for this office