With the Presidential Election coming up in November, here are some things about IDs you should be aware of to make sure your voting process runs smoothly.
In order to vote in the State of Texas, you first, of course, must be registered to vote. When you arrive at the polls, you must provide one of the following seven forms of photo identification: Texas Driver License, Texas Election ID Certificate, Texas Personal ID Card, Texas Handgun License, U.S. Citizenship Certificate with Photo, U.S. Military ID Card, or U.S. Passport (book or card).
If you do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of those photo IDs, you can still vote. Simply fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form at the polls and show a copy or original of one of the following approved IDs: Certified Domestic Birth Certificate or Court Admissible Birth Document, Current Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Government Check, Paycheck, Government document with your name and an address including your Voter Registration Certificate.
My acceptable photo ID is expired. Will it still work?
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable photo identification must be current or have expired no more than 4 years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling 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.
What if my acceptable form of photo ID was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or is expired more than four years?
A voter whose photo identification has been lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or, for voters aged 18-69, expired more than four years does not possess one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, and, if the voter cannot reasonably obtain a replacement of the identification that was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or expired or another form of acceptable photo ID, the voter is eligible to present a supporting form of ID, execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, and, assuming they otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot.
What is a reasonable impediment?
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 ID, work schedule, family responsibilities, lost or stolen ID, or acceptable form of photo ID applied for but not received. You 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.
My name on my approved photo ID or my supporting ID (if applicable) does not exactly match my name on my voter registration card. Can I still vote?
Election officials will review the ID and if a name is “substantially similar” to the name on their list of registered voters, you will still be able to vote, but you will also have to submit an affidavit stating that you are the same person on the list of registered voters.
What does “substantially similar” mean?
A voter’s name is considered substantially similar if one or more of the following circumstances applies:
The name on the ID is slightly different from one or more of the name fields on the official list of registered voters.
The name on the voter’s ID or on the list of registered voters is a customary variation of the voter’s formal name. For example, Bill for William
The voter’s name contains an initial, middle name, or former name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voter’s ID.
A first name, middle name, former name or initial of the voter’s name occupies a different field on the presented ID document than it does on the list of registered voters.
In considering whether a name is substantially similar, election officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID matches elements of the voter’s information on the official list of registered voters such as the voter’s residence address or date of birth.
Is the DPS Election Identification Certificate still going to be available?
Yes. The Election Identification Certificate is now available and will still be a form of acceptable photo ID. Information regarding how to obtain an election identification certificate can be found at www.dps.texas.gov. You may also contact DPS by telephone at (512) 424-2600 for more information.
As a reminder, the last day to register in time to vote in this election is Monday, October 7, 2024.
Election Day will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Early voting in person will begin October 21 and continue thru November 1, 2024.
To find out more about voting in Texas, visit votetexas.gov or call 1-800-252-VOTE (8683).
