New Voting Options for Registered Voters Who Do Not Have One of the Seven Acceptable Forms of Photo I.D. and Cannot Reasonably Obtain One

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 polling 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, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification must be current or have expired no more than four (4) years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. A person 70 years of age or older may use a form of acceptable photo identification that has expired if the identification is otherwise valid.

Acceptable Forms of Photo I.D.. *Does not require voter to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at polling place:

• Texas Driver’s License (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate (DPS)
• Texas Personal Identification Card (DPS)
• Texas Handgun License (DPS)
• United States Military Identification Card
• United States Citizenship Certificate
• United States Passport (book or card)

OR

Supporting Documents (copy or original)
*Requires voter to complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at polling place:

• A government document that shows your name and an address, including your Voter Registration Certificate
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• A certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes your identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

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 or visit their website at www.txdps.state.tx.us

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.

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