Voting Tuesday? Be sure and bring your ID!
One of our Voting Judges suggested we send out a reminder with the Voter ID requirements. Thanks, Jim!
Questions about Voter ID requirements? Here are the answers straight from the Travis County Clerk’s website:
Photo Identification Now Required for Voting in Person
Exemptions are Available for Persons with Disabilities and Other Special Circumstances
Texas law now requires voters to show photo identification when voting in person. When voters appear at a polling location to vote, they must present an approved form of photo ID issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the United States government. All IDs (except the citizenship certificate) must be current or no more than 60 days expired.
Approved Forms of Photo ID
Except for the citizenship certificate, all IDs must be current or no more than 60 days expired.
- » Texas Driver License issued by Texas DPS
- » Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) issued by DPS
- » Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- » Texas Concealed Handgun License issued by DPS
- » U.S. Military ID Card containing the person’s photograph
- » U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- » U.S. Passport
Free Election Identification Certificates Available
Individuals without an approved form of photo ID may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at any Texas Driver License office. There is no charge for this certificate. EICs for persons age 70 and older do not expire; all other EICs expire every six years. To receive this voter ID card, applicants must provide specific documents that prove their identity and citizenship. For more information call DPS at 512-424-2600 or visit their website at www.txdps.state.tx.us
Name on Photo ID Must Match Name on the Voter Registration List
Texas law requires poll workers to review the name on each voter’s photo ID to see if it exactly matches the list of registered voters. If the names are not exact, but are “substantially similar,” that person will be able to vote after initialing the sign-in sheet to affirm that he or she is the same person appearing on the voter registration list.
Provisional Ballots for Those Without Proper ID at Polls
A voter who does not have the required form of ID or does not have a “substantially similar” name match will be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. The voter must present proper identification to the County Voter Registrar within six calendar days of the election or the voter’s ballot will be rejected.
Permanent Exemptions
Voters with a disability and without an approved form of ID may apply with the County Voter Registrar for a permanent exemption. Documentation from the Social Security Administration showing a disability or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing a disability rating of at least 50 percent will be required. A new voter registration certificate that reflects the exemption will be issued.
Temporary Exemptions
Voters who have a religious objection to being photographed or do not have a valid ID due to certain natural disasters as declared by the President or the Texas Governor, may cast a provisional ballot. They must appear at the voter registrar’s office within six calendar days after Election Day and sign an affidavit for their ballots to be counted.
Source: http://www.traviscountyclerk.
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