Texas Black Caucus Foundation Urges Voters: Check Your Ballot Before You Cast It

AUSTIN, Texas — As early voting continues ahead of the November 3 General Election, the Texas Black Caucus Foundation (TBCF) and Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TXLBC) are urging every Texas voter to carefully review their ballot before casting it. Voters have reported printed ballots that came out blank or showed selections different from the ones they made. The best time to catch and fix a problem is before the ballot is cast. “Every Texan deserves confidence that their ballot reflects their choices,” said Senator Royce West, Chair of the Texas Black Caucus Foundation, and Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, in a joint statement. “Take an extra minute to look it over. If anything is missing or doesn’t match what you selected, don’t leave. Tell a poll worker right away so it can be corrected on the spot.” Election officials in several Texas counties say most recent reports of touchscreen selections not registering correctly trace to screen calibration or how firmly a voter taps, issues poll workers can typically fix on the spot. Equipment is tested before every election, and most jurisdictions hand-count a sample of paper ballots afterward. Voting equipment varies by county; some use hand-marked paper ballots and others use machines with a review screen or printed summary. No matter what kind of machine your county uses, ALWAYS check the list of candidates your ballot will be cast for before you submit it. To protect your vote: • Review every selection on the screen, printout, or paper ballot before casting it. • If a touchscreen shows the wrong choice, select again. You can change your selections as many times as needed before casting. • Look for blank or missing races you voted in. • Don’t cast a ballot that’s wrong. Notify a poll worker immediately and ask for help correcting it. • Ask that the issue be documented so it can be reported to county election officials. • Need more help? Call the Texas Secretary of State voter helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). For polling locations, hours, and official voting information, visit VoteTexas.gov or contact your county elections office. About the Texas Black Caucus Foundation: The Texas Black Caucus Foundation (TBCF) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening Black communities across Texas through civic education, research, and leadership development. Working alongside community partners statewide, TBCF equips Texans with the knowledge and tools to participate fully in civic life. Its signature initiative, Freedom Rising 2026, connects voters with accurate, timely information to make their voices heard. Learn more at freedomrising2026.org.