Voters in November Election Have Additional ID Options Announces Secretary Cascos

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Today Texas Secretary of State Carlos H. Cascos announced voters will have additional options when presenting ID at the polls for the November election. In elections this fall Texas voters who cannot obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID will have additional options when casting their ballots" said Secretary Cascos. My agency is working to make sure Texans know about these changes and that all qualified voters are ready to cast a ballot." As provided by a court order issued today if a voter is not able to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID the voter may vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why the voter is unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID and (2) providing one of various forms of supporting documentation. Supporting documentation can be a certified birth certificate (must be an original) a valid voter registration certificate a copy or original of one of the following: current utility bill bank statement government check or paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter although government documents which include a photo must be original and cannot be copies. If a voter meets these requirements and is otherwise eligible to vote the voter will be able to cast a regular ballot in the election. The seven forms of approved photo ID are:

• 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 license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
• United States military identification card containing the persons photograph
• United States citizenship certificate containing the persons photograph
• United States passport

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate the approved photo ID must be current or have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. Voters with a disability may continue to apply with the county registrar for a permanent exemption to showing approved photo ID (which now may be expired no more than four years) at the polls. Also voters who (1) have a consistent religious objections to being photographed or (2) do not present one of the seven forms of approved photo ID because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor may continue apply for a temporary exemption to showing approved photo ID at the polls. Voters with questions about how to cast a ballot in these elections can call 1-800-252-VOTE.