Voter ID Laws in Texas
What kind of photo ID does a voter need to vote in Texas?
Photo IDs Issued by Texas DPS
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Texas Driver License
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Texas Election ID Certificate
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Texas Personal ID Card
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Texas Handgun License
Photo IDs Issued by Federal Government
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US Military ID Card (with photo)
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US Citizenship Certificate (with photo)
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US Passport (book or card)
If the voter does not have any of those types of photo ID, they may still be able to vote if they have a “reasonable impediment” preventing them from obtaining one of those forms of ID. If they qualify, they will have to sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form affirming that they couldn’t get one of those types of photo ID, and they will need to present an original or a copy of one of the following types of documents:
● Out-of-state driver’s license
● Texas voter registration certificate
● Current utility bill
● Bank statement
● Paycheck
● Government Check
● Certified U.S. birth certificate
● Document that establishes a voter’s identity (can include foreign birth certificates)
Reasonable impediments include:
1) lack of transportation, 2) disability or illness, 3) lack of birth certificate or other documents needed to obtain acceptable photo ID, 4) work schedule, 5) family responsibilities, 6) lost or stolen photo ID, or 7) photo ID applied for but not yet received.
Does a voter’s address on their ID need to match their registration address?
NO. Showing a photo ID is used to prove identification only, not proof of residence.
Is an expired form of photo ID acceptable?
● Voter is 70 years of age or older- can use an expired ID, no matter when it expired
● Voters under 70 years old- can use an expired ID if it expired LESS than 4 years ago
Does a voter’s name on their ID need to match the name on their voter registration?
NO, but the names must be “substantially similar” in order to be able to vote. The voter will also have to sign an affidavit stating that they are the same person on the list of registered voters.
What if someone refuses to show an acceptable form of photo ID or a secondary ID needed to fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration?
Voters who refuse to show proof of identity will be allowed to vote by provisional ballot, but a refusal to show photo ID is not a valid ground for casting a provisional ballot, so the provisional ballot will most likely not be counted.
Need an ID to vote? VoteRiders is here to help!
Call or text the VoteRiders Helpline at 866-ID-2-VOTE (866-432-8683)