Early voting is halfway done in Texas, and the U.S. Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is being described as a toss-up. If you live in the state, the most useful thing you can do with your phone this week is confirm you're ready to vote, and set reminders so a busy day doesn't decide it for you. Below: what CBS News reports about the race, then a step-by-step phone checklist.
Where the race stands
Per CBS News, its latest poll showed Talarico leading 51% to 49%, a gap well within the margin for error. In plain terms, that means neither candidate can be called the clear front-runner.
CBS Texas asked political experts what could decide it. According to that reporting, the factors they highlighted were:
- Voter turnout
- Party loyalty
- Latino voters
- Black voter support
- Heavy Republican ad spending (the coverage's angle list references $200M)
The takeaway for you: in a race this close, who actually shows up matters more than who leads a poll. That's why a few minutes of preparation counts.
Step 1: Confirm you're registered
Do this first, on your phone's browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android; any recent version works).
- Open your browser and search for "Texas Secretary of State voter registration lookup."
- Tap the official result. Check that the web address ends in .gov or .texas.gov, not a lookalike site.
- Enter the details it asks for, such as your name and date of birth or your voter ID number.
- Confirm the name and address shown match where you live now.
If the information is wrong or you can't find yourself, contact your county elections office directly. Don't enter personal details on any site that reached you through a text or social media ad.
Step 2: Find your early voting location and hours
Locations and hours vary by county, so check your own county's elections website rather than relying on a friend's tip.
- Search for your county name plus "early voting locations."
- Open the official county page.
- Look for sites near home or work, and note the hours for each day.
- Tap the address to open it in Apple Maps or Google Maps, then save it as a favorite.
Saving the location means you won't be hunting for the address in a line or in traffic.
Step 3: Set a phone reminder
Turnout is the story in a close race, and the most common reason people skip voting is simply forgetting. Make it hard to forget.
On iPhone
- Open the Reminders app.
- Tap New Reminder and type "Vote early."
- Tap the clock icon to set a date and time, and add a location if you like.
On Android
- Open Google Calendar or Google Tasks.
- Create a new event or task named "Vote early."
- Set the day and time, and turn on a notification.
Pick a time when you're actually free, such as a lunch break or right after work. A reminder at a moment you can't act on gets swiped away.
Step 4: Know what to bring
Rules on acceptable photo ID are set by the state, so check the Texas Secretary of State's website for the current list instead of guessing. Take a photo of your reminder list, or put a note on your lock screen, so you leave the house with everything.
Step 5: Use your phone wisely for news
With a toss-up race, expect plenty of polls, ads and social media claims. A few habits help:
- Treat single polls cautiously. A 51% to 49% result inside the margin of error is not a prediction.
- Go to the source. If a post cites a poll, search for the original outlet's report instead of trusting a screenshot.
- Mute the noise. On iPhone, use Focus modes; on Android, use Do Not Disturb or Digital Wellbeing, so you aren't scrolling campaign content all day.
- Be wary of voting instructions from texts or posts. Verify dates, locations and rules only on official government sites.
Step 6: Help someone else get there
In a race that experts say could turn on turnout, a nudge can matter. Send a friend or family member the official lookup link (not a screenshot of it), or offer to go together. Share a calendar invite so it lands on their phone too.
The one thing to do today
Open your phone, check your registration on the official Texas site, and set a reminder for a specific time to vote early. It takes about five minutes.
