Election Notice:  Monday, October 7, 2024 is the last day to register to vote for the November 5, 2024 Uniform Election  |  Visit VoteTexas.gov for more election information
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, OUR LOBBY WALK-IN HOURS WILL BE 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. (CENTRAL), MONDAY - FRIDAY.

42nd Annual Election Law Seminar for County Election Officials

Seminars are educational presentations tailored to the audience as it relates to their election-related duties, and pursuant to the Texas Election Code. This event is held in Austin with a nominal registration fee to cover the cost of the seminar, breaks, and lunch.

This conference is open to the public from Monday, August 12 through Lunch on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. After this time, only registered county election personnel will be permitted.

 

Host and Overflow Hotels

Host Hotel

The seminar will take place at the Renaissance Austin Hotel located at 9721 Arboretum Blvd in Austin, Texas. The event begins Monday, August 12, 2024 and concludes Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Reservations: Guests are encouraged to use the Reservation Link or the Reservation Phone Line to make reservations. Calling the hotel directly is not recommended. The hotel is not able to make reservations directly. You will be transferred to the reservation center, which will slow down the reservation process. The link is the quickest way to book a room.

Room Rate: The hotel will only honor the group rate for rooms reserved within the event block. The hotel cannot change rates or cancel non-refundable reservations.

Room Reservations are NOT Transferrable: The hotel cannot transfer room reservations into the event block. Any room reserved before 9am, July 12, 2024 or after the block is full, will not transfer into the event block.

Payment by Check: If paying by check, the check must be presented during check-in.

Payment by Credit Card: A physical credit card must be presented upon check-in, and the card holder must be present (unless a credit card authorization form has been received).

Credit Card Authorization Form: Should the card holder not be present and registered to the room, a credit card authorization form must be completed prior to arrival. Doing so will allow the hotel to use a third-party card for room charges. To obtain a copy of the form, contact the hotel in advance, once you have made your reservation. Please have your confirmation number handy. Additionally, most state & company issued cards require a PIN, which must be entered on the keypad by the guest during check-in. 

Incidental Charges: The hotel requires a $50 per night deposit/hold for incidentals.

Tax Exempt: If you are exempt from state occupancy tax, please provide your certificate upon check-in.

Overnight Parking: Conference attendees will receive a discounted rate of $ 10.00 per night plus tax. Guests are required to register their vehicle with their license plate. This can be done by scanning the QR Code located in the parking lot. When using the QR Code, please use the "OSS" code to receive the discounted rate.  All payments are made directly to PMC who is the parking administrator. Attendees may also choose to register their vehicle at the hotel’s front desk.

Daytime Parking: There is no charge for daytime parking

 Overflow Hotels

Attendees may choose to reserve a room with DoubleTree Northwest Arboretum, Hyatt Place-Arboretum, or Embassy Suites Austin Arboretum. Questions regarding the information provided below should be directed to the hotel.

DoubleTree Northwest Arboretum: The DoubleTree is located at 8901 Business Park Drive in Austin, Texas, and is located within 2 miles of the host hotel. City and county checks will be accepted onsite for this event. A card is required to guarantee a reservation when using the reservation link and reservation phone line. All sleeping rooms are subject to an early departure charge equal to one night’s room rate, plus applicable fees, taxes and assessments.

Embassy Suites Austin Arboretum: Embassy Suites is located at 9505 Stonelake Blvd in Austin, Texas, and is within 3 miles of the host hotel. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Cancellations are required 48 hours prior to check-in. If a guest cancels a reservation within the 48 hours, the hotel may charge the credit card one night’s room fee plus any applicable taxes.

Hyatt Place-Arboretum: The Hyatt Place is located at 3612 Tudor Blvd in Austin, Texas and is within 2.5 miles of the host hotel. Any tax-exempt reservations require a Texas Hotel Tax Exemption form at check-in. Cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to arrival. Any cancellations made within 24 hours of arrival, or no-shows, will be subject to a charge of one-night room and tax.

Online Registration

Registration opens the week of July 1st and ends July 31, 2024. If you miss the registration deadline, and if seats are available, you may register onsite at the Secretary of State’s registration desk.

Registration includes official programmed events for selected registration type (full, open or closed), a link to the corresponding training material, a luncheon, morning and afternoon snacks. Books and CDs will not be provided or available for purchase. As a reminder, the closed session is available for registered county election personnel only. Individuals, other than county election office personnel, will not be permitted.

Registration Fees and Deadlines

All fees must be received by phone or postmarked on or before July 31, 2024.
Late fees will be applied to all registration’s fees received by phone or postmarked after July 31, 2024.

Seminar Registration Fee (Full Event Aug. 12-14): $325.00
Late Registration: $350.00

Open Session Registration (Aug. 12 – Lunch on Aug. 13): $200.00
Late Registration: $225.00

Closed Session Registration (Lunch on Aug. 13 – Aug. 14): $200.00
Late Registration: $225.00

Payments

Checks

  1. Make checks payable to the Office of the Secretary of State.
  2. Include a copy of your Registration Confirmation Email with payment.
  3. Mail to: Office of the Secretary of State, Attn: Special Projects - Elections Division, PO Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711-2060
  4. Once processed, a payment confirmation email will be issued to the email address provided during registration.

Credit Cards

  1. First, register online.
  2. Call 1.800.252.8683 (option 1, option 5) to pay by credit card.
  3. Please have your registration number readily available. The number is located in your registration confirmation email.
  4. Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
  5. A 2.7% processing fee will be applied to all credit card charges by the credit card company. The Secretary of State does not charge for processing fees.
  6. A payment confirmation email will be issued to the email address provided during registration.

Checks and credit card payments will be accepted on-site at the Secretary of State’s registration desk.

Cancellation

Refund Policy

Substitutes

Special Needs

Recommended Attire

Questions