Election Day in San Antonio (2026): Vote Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls 7 AM to 7 PM & Free VIA Rides

Early voting has ended — now it all comes down to Election Day. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, polls are open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM across Bexar County, you can vote at any vote center in the county, and VIA buses and vans are free for voters who show their voter registration card. Here is where to go, what to bring, and how the free ride works.

Early voting has ended

Early voting ended Friday, October 30, 2026. If you have not voted yet, your one remaining chance is Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., at any Bexar County vote center. If you are in line when polls close at 7 p.m., stay in line — you will still be able to vote.

Where to vote: any site in Bexar County

On Election Day, you do not have to vote in your own precinct — Bexar County uses countywide vote centers, so any registered Bexar County voter can vote at any Election Day vote center in the county. Pick whichever location is closest to home, work, or your bus route — libraries, community centers, colleges, and the main elections office serve as vote centers. A few well-known sites:

• Bexar County Elections Department — 1103 S. Frio St., San Antonio, TX 78207 (the main office, downtown)
• UT San Antonio Main Campus — H-E-B Student Union, Bexar Room (HSU 1.102), with free short-term voter parking in the northern section of the Ximenes Lot
• Branch libraries across the city — including Brookhollow, Cody, and Collins Garden
• Claude Black Community Center — 2805 E. Commerce St.

Lines have been long at some sites this year, and the county has added extra voting equipment at busy locations. Before you head out, check the county’s live wait-time map (linked below) and pick a site with a shorter line. Not sure whether you are registered? Our 2-minute voter registration check walks you through it. Registration for this election closed October 5 — if you were not registered by then, you cannot vote on November 3, but registering now puts you on the rolls for the next election.

What to bring: photo ID rules

Bring one of these seven acceptable forms of photo ID (from VoteTexas.gov, the Texas Secretary of State’s official voter site):

• Texas Driver License issued by DPS
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
• Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
• United States Military Identification Card with your photo
• United States Citizenship Certificate with your photo
• United States Passport (book or card)

Good to know: if you are 18–69, your ID can be expired up to four years and still work. If you are 70 or older, it can be expired for any length of time. A student ID does not count.

No photo ID? You can still vote a regular ballot. Bring a supporting document — a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or your voter registration certificate — and fill out a short Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls explaining why you could not reasonably get a photo ID. If you forget your ID entirely, you can cast a provisional ballot and bring your ID to the voter registrar within six days — or simply come back before polls close the same day with your ID and vote a regular ballot.

One rule that surprises people: you cannot use a phone or other wireless device within 100 feet of the voting stations. Print your sample ballot or notes on paper and bring the paper with you — that is allowed, and with this year’s long ballot, it is the fastest way through the booth.

What is on your ballot

Your exact ballot depends on where you live, but Bexar County voters are deciding federal, state, and local races, including U.S. Senate, Texas Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, U.S. House, and state and county offices and judges. San Antonio voters also decide City Proposition A: whether to reauthorize Pre-K 4 SA — the city’s free, full-day pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds — for another 20 years, funded by the same one-eighth-cent sales tax that pays for it today. School district bond and tax questions appear on many ballots too. Look at your own sample ballot before you go (linked below) so nothing on the long ballot surprises you.

A quick note from this week: after some voters raised concerns about voting machines, the Bexar County Elections Office said its machines are tested, sealed, tracked, and never connected to the internet — and reminded voters to review their selections on the screen before casting, and to tell a poll worker right away if anything looks wrong. That review screen is your friend; take the extra ten seconds.

Already have a mail ballot?

The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail was Friday, October 23, so no new mail ballots can be requested for this election. If you already received one, follow the instructions in the packet carefully, sign exactly as directed, and return it so it is received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. You can also hand-deliver your completed ballot to the Bexar County Elections Department at 1103 S. Frio St. on Election Day — bring your photo ID. If you requested a mail ballot but would rather vote in person, bring the mail ballot with you to surrender at the polls and ask a poll worker how to proceed.

Getting there: free rides on Election Day

VIA Metropolitan Transit’s long-running Ride VIA to Vote program offers fare-free rides on election days: show the operator a valid voter registration card and ride free on regular bus service, VIA Link, and VIAtrans paratransit. That free service applies on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Plan your route in the VIA goMobile+ app or call VIA at 210-362-2020. Need a ride because of a disability, or help with curbside voting? Call the Elections Department at 210-335-8683 ahead of time to arrange accommodations.

Want to be on the other side of the check-in table next time? See how San Antonians get paid to work the election. And for every other deadline that affects your benefits this fall, our San Antonio benefits calendar keeps them in one place.

Miss early voting? Election Day is Tuesday, November 3

If you missed early voting, you have one more chance: Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bexar County uses countywide vote centers on Election Day too, so you can vote at any open Election Day location — confirm your site at the county elections site linked below. Expect the longest lines of the whole election on that day — arrive early if you can.

Voting is one free way to speak up for the programs your family uses. The other is making sure you are getting every benefit you may qualify for right now:

Check What You May Qualify For — Free Apply for Me Help

We do not submit government applications or complete paperwork for you. We help you find your potential matches and walk you through the steps.

Helpful links & phone numbers

• Bexar County Elections — Early Vote Information — official early voting sites, hours, and the interactive location map
• Bexar County live wait-time map — check lines before you leave home
• Bexar County Elections Department (elections.bexar.gov) — registration status, sample ballots, and Election Day locations
• Bexar County Elections Department: 210-335-VOTE (8683) — voting questions, curbside and accessibility arrangements, mail ballot help
• VoteTexas.gov — Voter ID requirements — the Texas Secretary of State’s official list of acceptable photo ID
• VoteTexas.gov — check your registration and find your sample ballot
• VIA Metropolitan Transit — Ride VIA to Vote — fare-free rides on election days with a valid voter registration card
• VIA customer information: 210-362-2020 — routes and schedules to your voting site
• 2-1-1 Texas: dial 2-1-1 or call 877-541-7905 — free, confidential help finding local assistance of every kind

Frequently asked questions

When does early voting end in San Antonio?

Early voting ended Friday, October 30, 2026. Your only remaining chance to vote in this election is Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any Bexar County vote center.

Can I vote early at any location in Bexar County?

Early voting has ended — but the same rule applies on Election Day. Any registered Bexar County voter can vote at any vote center in the county — the site does not have to be in your precinct.

What ID do I need to vote in Texas?

One of seven photo IDs: a Texas driver license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military ID with photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or a U.S. passport. If you do not have one and cannot reasonably get one, you can still vote by bringing a supporting document such as a utility bill or bank statement and signing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls.

Is there a free ride to vote in San Antonio?

Yes, on Election Day. VIA’s Ride VIA to Vote program offers fare-free bus, VIA Link, and VIAtrans rides on election days — including Tuesday, November 3 — when you show the operator a valid voter registration card. Call VIA at 210-362-2020 for routes and schedules.