Update for Voters who cannot obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID have additional options at the polls

0

Today, Dallas County Elections Administrator, Toni Pippins-Poole reminded Texans that voters who cannot obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID now have additional options when voting in person.

“My office is working to make sure all the voters in Dallas County are ready to cast a ballot,” said Pippins-Poole. “These new options for voters who cannot obtain photo ID are currently in place and will be used in the November Election.”

As provided by a court order, if a voter has a reasonable impediment to obtaining 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 voter’s name and an address, 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 person’s photograph
  • United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s 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 can learn more by visiting VoteTexas.gov or calling 1-800-252-VOTE. Voters can also visit Dallas County Elections Department’s website, www.dallascountyvotes.org; or, call us at 214.819.6300. The Secretary of State’s Election Advisory No. 2016-17 provides more detail about qualifying voters at the polls under the new guidelines: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2016-17.shtml. The District Court’s August 10, 2016 Order is available online at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/interim-remedy-order-08172016.pdf.

Early voting for the November 82016 General-Joint (Presidential) Election begins October 24 and ends November 4.

Share.

Connecting you to the personalities, places and perspectives of Dallas ISD

Exit mobile version