High School Deputy Voter Registrars
By virtue of being a high school principal in Texas, you are required to serve as a deputy voter registrar for the county in which your school is located. This requirement has been enshrined in Texas law since the 1980s, ensuring that eligible high school students have the opportunity to register to vote using resources made available by their high school principals.
The Texas Election Code (TEC) Sections 31.003 and 13.046, the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 81, and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) outline requirements for public and private high school principals to act as deputy voter registrars to provide voter registration opportunities to eligible high school students and campus employees.
The campus principal may designate an administrative staff member or teacher, in writing, to serve as the high school deputy registrar.
Responsibilities of a High School Deputy Registrar:
- High school deputy voter registrars should obtain voter registration applications and materials from their school board administrator or the Secretary of State.
- Though the high school deputy voter registrar may distribute voter registration applications to eligible students and staff throughout the year, during the final month of each semester, they are required to distribute voter registration applications along with a notice (PDF) informing students how to return their completed voter registration application. The Secretary of State encourages all schools to establish a practice of providing all eligible students voter registration applications upon turning 18 years of age.
- Upon request by the applicant, the high school deputy registrar may provide assistance to a student or employee filling out the application form.
- Upon receipt of an application, the high school deputy registrar should review the voter registration application for completeness and may return it to the applicant for completion, if needed.
Where to Get Applications:
- Specially-coded voter registration applications distributed to public and private high schools serving eligible students may be obtained from the Secretary of State’s office free of charge.
- To order these applications, please use the High School Voter Registration Application Order Form link below.
- Forms are available in both English and Spanish.
Who Can Register:
- Students who are 17 years, 10 months of age may register to vote for an upcoming election if they will be 18 years of age on Election Day.
- Employees of the campus may also register to vote through the high school deputy registrar.
Delivery of Completed Applications:
- All completed applications should be delivered to the county voter registrar by mail or in person as soon as possible after they are received but no later than 5 p.m. on the fifth day after they are received.
- Completed applications received by the high school deputy registrar after the 34th day before the date of an election and on or before the last day for a person to timely submit a registration application for that election must be delivered to the county voter registrar no later than 5 p.m. of the next regular business day after the voter registration deadline.
- Applications delivered by mail are considered to be delivered upon receipt by the county voter registrar.
As the chief election official for the State of Texas, the Secretary of State is responsible for the coordination of voter registration activities, including the registration of eligible high school students and employees. As such, the Secretary of State’s office works collaboratively with all designated high school deputy voter registrars and campus administrators by providing information related to voter registration responsibilities, requirements, and materials to assist with the provision of voter registration opportunities.
For information related to upcoming elections and voter registration related deadlines, please visit the Elections Division information on this website or at VoteTexas.gov. For additional information related to the high school deputy voter registrar program or other voter registration requirements in Texas, please contact our office at (800)252-8683 or at Elections.
Information & Resource Materials:
High School Voter Registration Application Order Form
Notice to High School Students or Employees Registering to Vote (PDF)
Texas Election Code (TEC) Relating to High School Deputy Voter Registrars (PDF)
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Relating to High School Deputy Voter Registrars
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
