In the State of Texas, you may now vote a regular ballot by providing one of the forms of acceptable photo identification OR by completing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at your voting place and providing one of the supporting documents.
A list of acceptable forms of photo identification when voting in person under Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code (SB 14 ID) is below. With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four (4) years before being presented for voter qualification at the voting place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Acceptable Forms of Photo Identification
*Does not require voter to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the voting place:
Supporting Documents (copy or original)
*Requires voter to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the voting place:
Reasonable impediments identified on the Reasonable Impediment Declaration are: lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of birth certificate or other documents needed to obtain acceptable photo identification, work schedule, family responsibilities, lost or stolen identification, or acceptable form of photo identification applied for but not received. A voter must qualify for one of these reasonable impediments in order to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. A person is subject to prosecution for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or Section 63.0013 of the Texas Election Code for providing a false statement or false information on a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
Individuals without an approved form of photo identification 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 identification card, applicants must provide specific documents that prove their identity and citizenship. For more information visit their website at www.dps.texas.gov.
Provisional Ballots for Those Without Proper Identification at the Voting Place
A voter who does not have the required form of identification 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 El Paso 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 identification may apply with the El Paso 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 identification due to certain natural disasters as declared by the President or the Texas Governor, may cast a provisional ballot. They must appear at the El Paso County Voter Registrar’s office within six calendar days after Election Day and sign an affidavit for their ballots to be counted.
Other Resources
