Updated, 6:40 a.m., Nov. 6: Revised for Election Day.

AUSTIN — The stakes are high for Democrats and Republicans as Texans head to the polls for the midterm elections.

Democrats hope opposition to President Donald Trump will fuel their oft-quoted “blue wave,” while Republicans are eager to defend their advantage in Congress and in the Texas Legislature by reducing that wave to a trickle.

Midterm elections are often perilous for presidents because the public’s patience for campaign promises runs out and voters turn to the opposition party for answers. This year, Democrats are trying to stoke those flames, citing Trump’s temperament and erratic decisions as reasons voters should turn to them.

In Texas, Democrats are promoting El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke as a more centrist option to conservative stalwart Ted Cruz in the Senate. O’Rourke has drawn impressive crowds across the state. But as Election Day approaches, Cruz has ramped up his political and fundraising machine to undercut O’Rourke and portray him as a far-left liberal whose views are out of touch with a deeply Republican state.

Polls have painted the race as the closest election for a Texas statewide office in recent history. But some say the only poll that matters is the election. Here's what you'll need to know to make your voice heard.

Am I registered?

You can find out if you're registered and see other important dates on VoteTexas.gov, the Texas secretary of state's website. But if you registered within the last few weeks and don't see an updated status, don't worry. There's a backlog of applications, and county registrars hired additional staff to manually enter them.

When can I vote?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday And if you're running to vote after work, don't worry. If you're in line by the time the polls close, you are legally entitled to cast your vote.

Where do I vote?

If you are a registered voter, your precinct should be on your voter registration card. You can also look up your precinct at VoteTexas.gov.

You can find early voting locations and other information, including sample ballots, on your county registrar's elections website.

Here are links to the offices in North Texas:

Dallas

What’s on the ballot?

North Texans will choose a number of statewide officials, including governor, state representatives and senators and federal representatives to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

Statewide

The marquee race among statewide officials will be between Cruz and O'Rourke. But Gov. Greg Abbott is also running for re-election against former Dallas County sheriff Lupe Valdez. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton face long-shot challenges from Democratic opponents Mike Collier and Justin Nelson, respectively, as do Republican incumbents in the comptroller, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner races.

Congressional races in North Texas

3rd Congressional District: Republican state Sen. Van Taylor and Democrat Lorie Burch are vying to replace retiring Plano Rep. Sam Johnson in heavily Republican Collin County.

5th Congressional District: State Rep. Lance Gooden is trying to keep retiring Rep. Jeb Hensarling's district Republican in a race against Democrat Dan Wood. The district stretches from Dallas and Mesquite into East Texas.

6th Congressional District: Republican Ron Wright, the former Tarrant County tax assessor/collector, and Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez will try to replace a third retiring representative, Joe Barton.

24th Congressional District: Republican incumbent Kenny Marchant of Coppell has held the seat since 2005. He'll have to beat Democratic challenger Jan McDowell, a public accountant.

26th Congressional District: Longtime Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Pilot Point, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002 and is facing entrepreneur Linsey Fagan.

30th Congressional District: Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson, who has represented the Dallas district since 1992, has no Republican challenger.

32nd Congressional District: Democrat Colin Allred, a lawyer and former NFL player, is hoping demographic changes in the Dallas district and opposition to Trump help him unseat incumbent Pete Sessions, who has represented the district since 2003 and has been in the U.S. House since 1997. The race is in a dead heat, according to several polls.

33rd Congressional District: Democratic incumbent Marc Veasey has drawn opposition from Republican Willie Billups, a military veteran, for control of the Fort Worth district.

Statehouse

Dallas County Republicans will face tough challenges if they hope to fight off a blue wave this November. Among the most heated races in North Texas are between Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, and Republican Deanna Maria Metzger; Grand Prairie Republican Rodney Anderson and Democrat Terry Meza; and Irving Republican Matt Rinaldi and Democratic challenger Julie Johnson.

There will also be a new representative in a North Dallas district where incumbent Republican Jason Villalba was bounced in the March primary by Lisa Luby Ryan, who will battle John Turner for the seat.

State Senate

Democrats are trying to flip several seats in North Texas, including Nathan Johnson in Dallas Sen. Don Huffines' district and Beverly Powell in Sen. Konni Burton's Tarrant County district, once represented by former Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis.

Dallas County

Dallas County residents will vote for district attorney, sheriff, Precinct 2 commissioner, county judge and several judicial races. Republican District Attorney Faith Johnson, who was appointed by Abbott in 2016, will try to keep her seat against a longtime state district judge, Democrat John Creuzot.

Which races will be on my ballot?

On The Dallas Morning News voter guide, you can type in your address to see which races will be on your ballot. You can also use the guide to see all the races and candidates running, as well as their answers to our questionnaire on the biggest issues of their races.

What do I need to vote?

One of seven approved forms of identification:

Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety

Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS

Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

Texas handgun license issued by DPS

United States military identification card containing the person's photograph

United States citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph

United States passport (book or card)

If you don't have one of these, you may vote if you sign a declaration at the polls that explains why you are "reasonably unable to obtain" one of the forms and if you bring one of these pieces of supporting documentation:

copy or original of a government document that shows the voter's name and address, including the voter's voter registration certificate

copy of or original current utility bill

copy of or original bank statement

copy of or original government check

copy of or original paycheck

copy of or original of a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law that establishes the voter's identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

What are some other rules at polling places?

Wearing political T-shirts, buttons, hats or other apparel is illegal and punishable by a Class C misdemeanor. Read more about what could get you in trouble at the polls.

Where can I find information and news coverage of the elections?

A section of The Dallas Morning News website is devoted to covering the most interesting races in the November elections. From the governor's race, to your state representative and district attorney, simply click on the link for more coverage of the race.

Still have questions?

Log on to VoteTexas.gov or call 1-800-252-VOTE.