Voter Guide: What to know for the May 4 local elections
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The headline-grabbing 2024 presidential election is still several months away, but there are several important local elections on the May 4 ballot.
Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections. Early voting runs from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.
Full coverage of all local and national elections in 2024
Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls.
What am I going to see on my ballot?
In this election, most voters’ ballots will be fairly short. Some people may even only have one race to vote on.
The following cities will choose their next mayor: Bertram, Leander, Liberty Hill, Luling, Meadowlakes, Smithville, Sunrise Beach Village and Webberville
The following cities will choose council members or aldermen: Bastrop, Bertram, Blanco, Burnet, Cedar Park, Elgin, Flatonia, Florence, Giddings, Granite Shoals, Hutto, Johnson City, Lakeway, Leander, Lexington, Llano, Lometa, Luling, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Rockdale, Round Rock, Round Top, Smithville, Sunrise Beach Village, Taylor, Thorndale, Webberville and Wimberley
The following cities have propositions: Austin (there are six propositions in which voters will decide whether to disannex from city limits. Only voters in the affected precincts will be able to vote on these propositions), Burnet, Fayetteville, Granite Shoals, Hutto, Lakeway, Leander, Round Rock, Taylor and Thorndale
The following counties will elect three members to appraisal district boards: Burnet County, Travis County and Williamson County
The following school districts will choose board trustees: Bastrop ISD, Burnet CISD, Cameron ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Eanes ISD, Elgin ISD, Flatonia ISD, Florence ISD, Georgetown ISD, Hays CISD, Hutto ISD, Johnson City ISD, La Grange ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Lampasas ISD, Lexington ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Llano ISD, Lometa ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Rockdale ISD, San Saba ISD, Smithville ISD, Taylor ISD, Thorndale ISD and Thrall ISD
The following school districts have bond propositions: Buckholts ISD, Elgin ISD, Florence ISD, Gause ISD, Georgetown ISD, McDade ISD and Thorndale ISD
Where can I find a sample ballot?
Sample ballots are available on each county’s elections website. Use the table below to find your sample ballot:
Mark your calendars
Thursday, April 4: Last day to register to vote
Monday, April 22: Early voting begins
Tuesday, April 23: Last day to apply to vote by mail
Tuesday, April 30: Early voting ends
Saturday, May 4: Election Day
Hours for early voting are typically Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although some counties, like Travis County, have extended hours until 10 p.m. on some days. Weekend voting hours vary by county.
Early voting locations
Below are the early voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.
Election Day voting locations
Below are the Election Day voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.
What do I need to bring with me?
Under Texas law, voters are required to bring identification with them to vote. Here are the accepted forms of identification:
Texas Driver License
Texas Election Identification Certificate
Texas Personal Identification Card
Texas Handgun License
United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States Passport
What’s not allowed?
Under Texas law, you cannot use most wireless communication devices within 100 feet of a voting station, nor are you allowed to record sound or images in that space. Those restricted electronics include:
Cell phones
Cameras
Tablet computers
Laptop computers
Sound recorders
Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.
You are also not allowed to wear clothing, hats, flags, etc. that relate to a candidate currently on the ballot within 100 feet of the voting station.
Local county elections offices
Below are links to each county elections website in the KXAN coverage area. Each will have information including phone numbers, polling locations and addresses. You can also check wait times at polling locations.
KXAN will have full coverage on Election Day, May 4.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
