A voter will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before the voter will be permitted to cast a ballot:
* Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
* Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
* Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
* Texas concealed 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
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented at the polling place.
Election Identification Certificates are available from DPS for eligible voters who do not have any of the other approved forms of ID. There is no fee for an Election Identification Certificate. More information is available at: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/electionID.htm
This photo ID requirement is only for voters casting a ballot in person. Registered voters age 65 and older and those with a disability may vote by mail in any election.
Election officials are encouraging voters to update their voter registrations to reflect the names on their IDs. Voters may use IDs that do not exactly match the name on their voter registrations if the names are substantially similar but will have to sign an affidavit stating they are the same person. Voters may look up their registration at VoteTexas.gov and, if their name is not an exact match, they can update their voter registration online through VoteTexas.gov.
“The right to vote is a fundamental right offered to all Americans residing in the United States legally,” said Representative Flynn. “Providing proper identification when exercising this right seems only logical and helps to protect the integrity of the voting process.”
To check and update their registrations, voters can visit VoteTexas.gov or call 1-(800)-252-VOTE for more information.
For more information about photo ID requirements including exemptions, visit www.votetexas.gov.
Information on how to obtain an election identification certificate if you do not have another form of approved identification can be found at www.dps.texas.gov.