Voting is a fundamental right, and understanding the requirements to cast your ballot is essential. In Texas, voters are required to present identification when voting in person. This guide will explain the current Texas voter ID laws, ensuring you are prepared to exercise your right to vote.
Acceptable Forms of Photo ID in Texas
Texas law mandates that voters present one of seven forms of photo identification at the polling place. These are the only acceptable forms of photo ID for voting in Texas:
- Texas Driver License: Issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- Texas Election Identification Certificate: Also issued by DPS, specifically for voting.
- Texas Personal Identification Card: Issued by DPS.
- Texas Handgun License: Issued by DPS.
- United States Military Identification Card: Must contain the voter’s photograph.
- United States Citizenship Certificate: Must contain the voter’s photograph. Unlike other forms of ID, this one does not expire.
- United States Passport (Book or Card).
It’s important to note the expiration rules for these IDs. For voters between 18 and 69 years old, the photo ID can be expired, but no more than four years before being presented at the polling place. However, if you are 70 years of age or older, the acceptable photo ID can be expired for any length of time, provided it is otherwise valid.
If you need to obtain an Election Identification Certificate (EIC), they are available at DPS driver license offices during regular business hours. You can also find information about mobile station locations for DPS services.
What if You Don’t Have an Acceptable Photo ID?
Texas law provides options for voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved photo IDs. In such cases, you can still vote by presenting a supporting form of ID and signing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) at the polling location.
Here are the supporting forms of ID accepted in Texas:
- Government Document (copy or original): This document must display your name and address, and can include your voter registration certificate.
- Current Utility Bill (copy or original): Must be a current utility bill.
- Bank Statement (copy or original): Must be a bank statement.
- Government Check (copy or original): Must be a government check.
- Paycheck (copy or original): Must be a paycheck.
- Birth Certificate (copy or original): This can be either:
- A certified domestic birth certificate from a U.S. state or territory.
- A document confirming birth admissible in a court of law, which establishes your identity. This may include a foreign birth document.
After presenting one of these supporting IDs, you will need to complete and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polling place. This declaration states that you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable photo ID.
Step-by-Step Voting Procedures in Texas
When you arrive at your designated polling location in Texas, the process is generally as follows:
- Present Your Photo ID (or Supporting ID and RID): You will be asked to present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID. Remember the expiration rules: for voters 18-69, ID can be expired up to four years; for voters 70+, any expiration is acceptable if otherwise valid. If you do not have an acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, you will present a supporting ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
- Name Verification: Election officials are required to check if the name on your ID (photo ID or supporting ID) matches your name on the Official List of Registered Voters (OLRV).
- Voting: If your name matches, or is “substantially similar,” you will proceed to vote. If the name is “substantially similar” but not an exact match, you will sign an affidavit confirming you are the registered voter.
- Provisional Ballot (If Applicable):
- If you possess an acceptable photo ID but do not have it with you at the polling place, you can vote provisionally. To have your provisional ballot counted, you must present an acceptable photo ID to the county voter registrar within six days of the election.
- Alternatively, you can return to the polling place with your photo ID before the polls close on Election Day to vote a regular ballot.
Exemptions to Photo ID Requirements
Texas law provides certain exemptions to the photo ID requirements:
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Permanent Disability Exemption: Voters with a disability can apply for a permanent exemption with their county voter registrar. You must provide documentation from the U.S. Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent). You must also state that you do not possess a form of photo ID required by Texas Election Code. If granted an exemption, you can vote by presenting your voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, without needing to sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Contact your county voter registrar for application details.
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Religious Objection or Natural Disaster Exemption: Voters with a consistent religious objection to being photographed or those unable to present photo ID due to a declared natural disaster (by the US President or Texas Governor) can vote a provisional ballot. To have it counted, you must visit the voter registrar’s office within six days of the election and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster. Contact your county voter registrar for more information on this process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Voter ID
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What photo ID do I need to vote in person in Texas?
You need one of these seven acceptable photo IDs: Texas Driver License, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas Personal Identification Card, Texas Handgun License, US Military ID, US Citizenship Certificate, or US Passport (book or card). For voters 18-69, IDs can be expired up to four years; for voters 70+, any expiration is acceptable if otherwise valid (except for US Citizenship Certificate which doesn’t expire).
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My photo ID is expired. Can I still use it to vote?
Yes, depending on your age and how long it has been expired. If you are 18-69, your photo ID can be expired for up to four years. If you are 70 or older, there is no expiration limit as long as it is otherwise valid. The U.S. Citizenship Certificate has no expiration.
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What if I don’t have any of the accepted photo IDs?
If you do not have an acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, you can still vote. You will need to present a supporting form of ID and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polling place. Supporting IDs include: government document with name and address (including voter registration certificate), current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or a birth certificate (US or admissible foreign birth document). Disability exemptions are also available through the county voter registrar.
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What qualifies as a reasonable impediment?
Reasonable impediments for not obtaining a photo ID, as listed on the Reasonable Impediment Declaration, include: lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of necessary documents to get photo ID (like a birth certificate), work schedule conflicts, family responsibilities, lost or stolen ID, or having applied for but not yet received an acceptable photo ID. Providing false information on this declaration is perjury under Texas law.
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What if I don’t have any form of ID at the polling place?
In this situation, you can cast a provisional ballot. To have it counted, you must visit the county voter registrar’s office within six days of the election and either present an acceptable photo ID, complete the Reasonable Impediment Declaration process (if you don’t have and cannot reasonably obtain photo ID), or, if applicable, submit a temporary affidavit for religious objection or natural disaster, or qualify for a disability exemption. Alternatively, you can return to the polling place before closing with either an acceptable photo ID or a supporting ID to complete the RID process and vote a regular ballot.
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What if my photo ID is lost, stolen, suspended, revoked, or expired for more than four years?
If your photo ID falls into these categories, you are considered to not possess an acceptable form of photo ID. If you cannot reasonably obtain a replacement or another acceptable photo ID, you are eligible to vote a regular ballot by presenting a supporting form of ID and signing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
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My name on my ID doesn’t exactly match my voter registration. Can I still vote?
Yes, if the name is considered “substantially similar.” Election officials will review your ID. If the name is substantially similar, you will be able to vote after signing an affidavit confirming you are the registered voter.
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What does “substantially similar” mean in the context of voter ID?
A name is “substantially similar” if:
- There are slight differences in name fields.
- A customary variation of your formal name is used (e.g., “Bill” for “William”).
- An initial, middle name, or former name is present on one document but not the other.
- Name components are in different fields on the ID versus voter registration.
Election officials will also consider if other information on your ID, like address or date of birth, matches your voter registration details when determining “substantial similarity.”
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Are Texas Election Identification Certificates still available?
Yes, Election Identification Certificates (EICs) remain available from the Texas DPS and are a valid form of photo ID for voting. You can get more information at the DPS website or by calling them.
For further questions or more detailed information, you can contact the Texas Secretary of State’s office via phone or email.
This guide aims to provide clarity on Texas voter ID requirements. Ensuring you have the correct identification is a key step in making your voice heard in Texas elections.
