Caldwell County Elections
Ballot by Mail
Applications for the November 3, 2026 General Election must be received by Friday, October 23, 2026
Voting by mail in Texas is limited to voters who meet one of six statutory qualifications. A postmark is not enough — your application must physically reach the Elections Office by the deadline.
Who can vote by mail
Voting by mail in Texas is limited to registered voters who are:
Qualifying categories
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day
- Sick or disabled
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Absent from the county of registration during the entire early voting period and on Election Day
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code
- Confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote
An annual application covers the whole year
An Annual Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) may be submitted on or after January 1 of the year in which you wish to receive ballots.
It stays valid until December 31 of that calendar year, or until you change your registration information — whichever comes first. You will be sent a ballot for every election in that year for which you remain eligible.
Texas Election Code § 86.0015
How to apply
Send your application as early as 60 days before the election. That gives you time to receive the ballot, mark it, and return it.
- Get an application Download the Application for Ballot by Mail from the Secretary of State in English or Spanish, or call the Elections Office at (512) 668-4347 and we will mail one to you.
- Complete it in full Include the identification number described below. If you are applying for a primary election, indicate your party preference in Section 4 — you cannot vote in both parties’ primaries.
- Return it so that it arrives on time Applications may be delivered in person or sent by mail, email, fax, or common or contract carrier. They must be received by the early voting clerk no later than the 11th day before Election Day, by close of regular business or 12 noon — whichever is later.
- Watch for your ballot Once your application is processed, a paper ballot is mailed to the address on your application.
Application forms
Where to send it
Caldwell County Elections Office
1403 Blackjack St., Suite A
Lockhart, TX 78644
Email: caldwellec@co.caldwell.tx.us
Fax: (512) 668-1821
Phone: (512) 668-4347
Call to request that an application be mailed to you.
Identification numbers you must provide
Your numbers must match — in two places
Under Senate Bill 1 (effective 2022), you must write an identification number both on the application and on the ballot return envelope, and the numbers must match what is on your voter registration record.
A missing or mismatched number is the single most common reason a mail ballot application or ballot is rejected.
Provide one of the following:
- Your Texas driver licence number
- Your Texas personal identification card number
- Your Texas Election Identification Certificate number, issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
Do not use your VUID
Your voter registration VUID number is not an acceptable identification number for this purpose. If you have never been issued any of the numbers listed above, you must say so by ticking the appropriate box on the application.
If information is missing or does not match, the Elections Office will contact you directly where you supplied a phone number or email address when you registered. Otherwise a letter is sent. If we cannot reach you, the application or ballot may be rejected.
Returning your completed ballot
Use the official carrier envelope
A completed mail ballot must be returned to the Caldwell County Elections Office in the official carrier envelope provided with your ballot.
| Method | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States Postal Service | Postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day | Regular residential mail. |
| In person at the Elections Office | Election Day only, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | 1403 Blackjack St., Suite A, Lockhart. You must present acceptable photo identification, or show a supporting document and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Only the voter may deliver their own ballot. |
| Common or contract carrier | Received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day | Courier, FedEx, UPS or similar. If the carrier receipt shows a time before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, it may instead be received by 5:00 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day. |
| Civilian voter abroad | Received no later than the 5th day after Election Day | See military and overseas voters below. |
| Military voter | Received no later than the 6th day after Election Day | Includes spouses and dependents. |
Military and overseas voters
Thank you for your service, and for staying engaged in your country’s elections from far away. Federal law defines “overseas” as anywhere outside the United States — including Canada and Mexico.
Who may use the Federal Post Card Application
- Active duty military, their spouses and dependents, voting from outside their home Texas county
- Members of the Texas National Guard or another state’s National Guard, and their spouses and dependents
- Members of the military reserves on active duty, and their spouses and dependents
- Members of the merchant marine, and their spouses and dependents
- U.S. citizens temporarily overseas, away from their home Texas county
- U.S. citizens permanently overseas, away from their previous home Texas county
As easy as A B C
A — Application. File your FPCA as soon as possible, and no later than the 11th day before Election Day. An FPCA is valid for one calendar year and must be resubmitted whenever you change mailing address.
B — Ballot. You choose how to receive it on the FPCA: hard copy by mail (the default), by email as an unmarked ballot, or by common or contract carrier at your own expense. Unmarked ballots may not be faxed under Texas law.
C — Casting and counting. Return the ballot by mail or carrier like any other mail ballot. A military voter in a hostile fire, imminent danger or combat zone — or their spouse or dependent — may return it by fax through authorised channels.
Help and forms
- Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)Federal
- Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)Form
- Military and overseas voters — VoteTexas.govSOS
Questions about submitting an FPCA? Email caldwellec@co.caldwell.tx.us.
Track your application and ballot
The Secretary of State provides an online tracker so you can confirm your application was received and follow your ballot through to acceptance.
- Track my ballot by mail See whether your application was received and your ballot accepted. Texas Secretary of State — opens in a new tab
- Check my registration Confirm you are registered and see the address on your record. Texas Secretary of State — opens in a new tab
- Election information Upcoming elections, key dates and deadlines. Caldwell County
Frequently asked questions
When can I submit my Annual Application for Ballot by Mail?
On or after January 1 of the calendar year in which you wish to receive ballots. Texas Election Code § 86.0015
How will I receive my ballot?
Once a completed ABBM or FPCA is received and processed, a paper ballot is sent by U.S. Postal Service to the address on file.
How long is the Annual ABBM valid?
From the time the early voting clerk receives it until the end of that calendar year, or until you submit a change to your registration information. It expires on 31 December regardless of when you submitted it. Texas Election Code § 86.0015(b)
Is one Annual ABBM enough for every election that year?
Yes. You will receive a ballot for each election in that year for which you remain qualified.
Where do I select my party for a primary election?
In Section 4 of the Application to Vote by Mail, under the Primary Election section.
Why must I state a party preference when voting by mail in a primary?
Because a voter cannot take part in both parties’ primary elections, you must indicate a preference so the correct ballot style is sent to you.
How soon must I return my ballot?
Ballots must be postmarked no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are mailing from outside the United States, your ballot must reach the Elections Office no later than five days after Election Day (six days for military voters).
Can I change my mind and vote in person instead?
If you have applied for a ballot by mail but have not properly cancelled that application, you will be offered a provisional ballot at the polling place. Contact the Elections Office before Election Day if you wish to cancel a mail ballot application.
Contact the Elections Office
Caldwell County Elections Office
- Address
- Scott Annex Building
1403 Blackjack St., Suite A
Lockhart, TX 78644 - Phone
- (512) 668-4347
- Fax
- (512) 668-1821
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Local district contracting for election services: ElectionsAdmin@co.caldwell.tx.us