Harris County opens annual mail ballot applications for seniors, disabled

Harris County voters who are 65 or older and certain disabled residents gained a streamlined option for voting by mail after the County Clerk’s Office announced that Annual Ballot by Mail applications became available beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The annual designation allows qualifying voters to receive mail ballots for all scheduled 2026 elections rather than submitting separate requests each contest.

County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth’s office advised applicants to complete the application fully and to mark the form explicitly as an annual request so election staff can process it for the entire calendar year. The announcement, released Jan. 7, 2026, emphasizes clear preferences on the form to avoid delays or mismatch of ballots.

One important administrative detail affects primary voters: annual applicants must select a political party for primary participation in even-numbered election years. That party selection determines which party’s primary ballot the voter will receive during 2026 primary elections. Voters should therefore choose carefully when completing the application so their primary ballot matches their intent.

Deadlines vary by contest, and the clerk’s office included guidance on timing for party primaries, the general election and any special elections that may be scheduled during the year. The office also outlined accepted submission methods for Annual Ballot by Mail applications, enabling residents who qualify to apply ahead of upcoming filing thresholds. For those who need help, the clerk’s office provided links and contact guidance to answer questions and assist with form completion.

For Harris County neighborhoods where mobility, transportation or caregiving responsibilities make in-person voting harder, the annual mail ballot option can reduce friction and bolster turnout among older adults and voters with disabilities. Community organizations and caregivers in Houston’s neighborhoods, from eastside precincts to suburban parts of the county, may find the annual process simplifies planning for civic participation across the election cycle.

Be mindful that selecting a party on the application has practical consequences in primary seasons and that incomplete applications can create administrative hurdles. The clerk’s reminder to fill out preferences correctly is meant to prevent ballots from being delayed or sent incorrectly.

The takeaway? If you qualify, file the annual ballot-by-mail application now, double-check the annual box and your party choice, and contact the Harris County Clerk’s Office if anything is unclear. It’s a small paperwork step that can make voting across 2026 much easier for you and those you look after.