VOTER ID: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (from Sen. Ellis) Voter ID requires all voters to present one of the following forms of photo identification in order to be eligible to vote: >Drivers license; >Election identification certificate; >Personal identification card; >Concealed handgun license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety; >U.S. military identification card containing the persons photograph; >U.S. citizenship certificate containing the persons photograph; or >U.S. passport. With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, all of the forms of identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented at the polling place. EXCEPTIONS: There are very limited exceptions to the photo identification requirement: > Disabilities: voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for an exemption. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote by presenting a voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption. > Religious objection or natural disaster: other exemptions include voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed and voters who do not have any photo identification as a result of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor. These voters may cast a provisional ballot at the polls and, in order for their vote to count, must sign an affidavit attesting to those facts in the presence of the county voter registrar within six days of the election date. WHAT IF MY NAME DOESNT MATCH IDENTICALLY WITH WHATS ON MY ID? 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 IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR?: According to the Texas Secretary of States office, a voters 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 voters ID or on list of registered voters is a customary variation of the voters formal name. For example, Bill for William, or Beto for Alberto. > The voters name contains an initial, middle name, or former name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voters ID. > A first name, middle name, former name or initial of the voters 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 voters information on the official list of registered voters such as the voters residence address or date of birth. PROVISIONAL BALLOTS: Voters who show up at their polling place and discover they do not have a valid form of photo identification will be able to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot, however, will not count unless the voter takes additional action after election day to prove they have the proper photo identification. In order for their vote to count, these voters have up to six days after the election to present to the county voter registrar appropriate photo identification. ELECTION ID CERTIFICATE: If you or a family member do not have one of the forms of photo identification listed above, there is a free option available. The change in law created a new form of photo identification called an election identification certificate, which the Texas Department of Public Safety now issues. Registered voters or those eligible to register who do not have a required form of photo identification may apply for the election identification certificate at any DPS driver license office. There is no fee for the certificate. MORE INFO: Visit VoteTexas.gov for additional information. You can also contact the Texas Secretary of States office or your countys voter registrar via phone: Texas Secretary of State: 1-800-252-VOTE Harris County Elections: 713-368-2000 Fort Bend County Elections: 281-341-8670
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:29:03 +0000
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