The new law created by the Texas Legislature requiring citizens to show photo identification (read SB 14 here) has created much confusion in Denton County and elsewhere in Texas. You’ve asked us many good questions about this important issue, and you’ll find answers to many of them here. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and ask.
If Texas' new Voter ID law is approved, a voter registration card won't be enough to vote in 2012.
What type of ID will I need to vote?
If the US Department of Justice approves to the new law (it hasn’t yet), you must show one of the following to vote:
- Texas Department of Public Safety‐issued driver’s license or personal ID card
- Concealed handgun license
- A new “election identification certificate”
- US government‐issued passport
- Military ID
- Citizenship papers that include a photo
I’m a senior. Am I exempt from the photo ID requirements?
SB 14, as passed by the Texas Legislature, has no exemptions for senior citizens, regardless of age.
What are some exceptions to the photo voter ID requirement?
The exceptions are:
- Photo ID is not required of those who vote by mail.
- Voters with documentation of disability and no photo ID may apply for an exemption from the voter registrar.
- Voters without a qualified ID because of a natural disaster or a religious objection to being photographed may vote a provisional ballot and sign an affidavit within 6 days.
How do I get a qualified photo ID?
Getting a photo ID may require documentation such as a birth certificate and take several weeks. Voters without a qualified photo ID should allow enough time to get the required documents.
Where can I get an election identification certificate?
The election identification certificate will be available with proper identification at no cost from the Department of Public Safety in 2012 to voters who lack a qualified photo ID.
Can I use an expired driver’s license to vote?
Except for citizenship papers, the ID must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before voting.
What will the poll worker check at the polls?
Poll workers will check that the photo is of the voter and the names on the ID and voter registration list match.
What if my name changed since the last time I voted?
You can check your registration information by visiting the “Am I Registered?” page of the Texas Secretary of State’s website. There are various ways to change your registration information:
- Visit the Texas Secretary of State’s site. Texas does not offer online voter registration, but you can fill out a voter registration form to print and send to the Denton County Elections office.
- Visit our offices and our deputy voter registrars can assist you to update your information.
Do I need to re-register if my address changed?
If name on your ID and your voter registration match, addresses do not need to match.
What if I don’t have a photo ID when I go to vote?
Voters without a qualified Texas state- or government-issued photo ID can vote a provisional ballot and present a qualified photo ID within 6 days. If you are otherwise eligible and you present ID within six days, your ballot will count.
Can I use a school- or university-issued ID to vote?
No, students will not be able to use their school IDs to vote in the Texas elections. They will need to obtain one of the acceptable photo IDs issued by the Texas Department of Safety or the U.S. government.
More Texas Voter ID Resources
Much of this information was adapted from The League of Women Voters of Texas at http://www.lwvtexas.org/
The Texas Secretary of State’s website contains more information about SB 14 here.
VoteTexas.org has a simple explanation here.
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Jan 24, 2012 1 Comment ›› admin
