Katy-area voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, but which rules apply depends on your county.

The Katy and Fulshear area spans Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties. Each county runs its own elections with different polling locations and, in one case, different rules about where you can vote. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. across all three counties.

The biggest difference: Fort Bend and Harris counties let registered voters cast a ballot at any polling location in the county on Election Day. Waller County does not. According to the official Waller County election notice, voters must vote at their assigned precinct polling place on Election Day.

That distinction matters. A Waller County voter who shows up at the wrong precinct location will not be able to cast a regular ballot there.

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County lists 101 countywide polling sites for the Nov. 3 general election, according to the county's Election Day schedule. Katy- and Fulshear-area location names on the schedule include Cinco Ranch Branch Library, Seven Lakes High School, Tompkins High School, Firethorne Clubhouse, FBC ESD No. 4 Admin. Bldg., Fulshear Branch Library and Katy High School. Voters can use any site in the county. The county's interactive election map has full addresses and directions.

Harris County

Harris County registered voters can vote at any polling location in the county, according to Harris County Elections. The county's website includes an interactive map that shows polling locations and wait times. Katy-area Harris County sites used during early voting included the Maud Smith Marks Branch Library at 1815 Westgreen Blvd. and the Katy Branch Library at 5414 Franz Road, as Covering Katy News reported. Voters should confirm Election Day locations through the county's online map.

Waller County

Waller County voters must go to their assigned precinct. The county lists 17 precinct polling places for Nov. 3. Precinct 420, which covers the Katy portion of Waller County, votes at 6206 George Bush Dr. in Katy, according to the county's official election notice. Christy A. Eason, Waller County elections administrator, signed the notice.

What to bring

Texas requires photo identification to vote in person, as Fox 26 reported. Seven forms of photo ID are accepted:

  • Texas driver's license issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
  • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
  • Texas handgun license issued by DPS
  • U.S. military identification card with a photo
  • U.S. citizenship certificate with a photo
  • U.S. passport book or card

For voters ages 18 to 69, an acceptable photo ID cannot have been expired for more than four years. Voters 70 and older may use an expired photo ID. Voters without an acceptable photo ID can present a supporting document, such as a utility bill or bank statement, and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls.

Check your registration

Residents with a Katy mailing address may be registered in any of the three counties. The Texas Secretary of State's "Am I Registered" portal at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov lets voters confirm their county, precinct and polling place.

For questions or problems on Election Day, the Secretary of State's toll-free hotline is 1-800-252-VOTE (8683).