Do I Have To Have State Id To Register To Vote

Nov 8, 2022 is the General Election
Concluding day to register to vote is October 11, 2022

Identification Requirements for Voting

Under Texas law, voters who possess ane of the vii adequate forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who practise not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the 7 canonical forms of photograph ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an culling form of ID, such equally a utility beak, bank statement, regime check, or a voter registration certificate.

Vote Ready (PDF)

Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

Texas Commuter License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Bill of fare issued past DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
Usa Armed services Identification Card containing the person'due south photograph
United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person'south photograph
United states of america Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does non expire, for voters anile xviii-69, the adequate class of photograph identification may be expired no more than than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling identify. For voters anile seventy or older, the adequate form of photo identification may exist expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Election Identification Certificates are bachelor from DPS driver license offices during regular business hours. Detect mobile station locations here.

Hither is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does non possess i of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain ane:

copy or original of a government document that shows the voter's name and an accost, including the voter's voter registration certificate;
copy of or original current utility neb;
copy of or original banking company statement;
copy of or original regime check;
re-create of or original paycheck; or
copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.Southward. country or territory) birth document or (b) a certificate confirming nascency admissible in a courtroom of police force which establishes the voter's identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, the voter must execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

Procedures for Voting

When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to present 1 of the vii (seven) adequate forms of photo ID that is current or, for voters aged xviii-69, expired no more than four years. Voters aged 70 or older may nowadays 1 of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID that is expired for whatsoever length of fourth dimension that is otherwise valid. If a voter does not possess one of the seven (vii) acceptable forms of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, the voter may present a supporting course of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter'due south reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the data independent in the proclamation is true, that the voter is the aforementioned individual personally appearing at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photograph identification.

Election officials are withal required by State law to determine whether the voter's name on the identification provided (acceptable photo ID, or supporting grade of ID, if applicable) matches the name on the official list of registered voters ("OLRV"). Afterward a voter presents their ID, whether it's an adequate form of photo ID or a supporting form of ID (if applicable), the election worker volition compare it to the OLRV. If the name on the ID matches the name on the list of registered voters, the voter volition follow the regular procedures for voting.

If the proper name does not match exactly but is "substantially similar" to the name on the OLRV, the voter will be permitted to vote every bit long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the same person on the listing of registered voters.

If a voter possesses an adequate form of photo ID but does non take it at the polling place, the voter volition all the same exist permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have six (6) days to present an acceptable course of photo identification to the county voter registrar, or fill out the natural disaster affirmation referenced in the Exemption/Exceptions section beneath, or the voter'southward ballot will be rejected. Alternatively, a voter who possesses an adequate grade of photograph ID merely does not have it at the polling identify may choose to leave the polling identify and return before the shut of the polls on election day with said acceptable form of photograph ID to, if the voter would otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that fourth dimension.

Exemptions:

Voters with a inability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photograph identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the canton. The application must comprise written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing the applicant's disability, or from the U.S. Section of Veterans Diplomacy evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. The bidder must also state that he/she does not have a form of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption volition be immune to vote upon brandish of their voter registration document reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to beingness photographed or who practise not nowadays an acceptable form of photo identification listed above or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure considering of certain natural disasters equally alleged by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar's office inside vi (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in lodge for the voter's ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Oft Asked Questions

What kind of photograph identification is required to qualify to vote in person?
The post-obit is a listing of acceptable photo IDs at the polling identify:
- Texas Commuter License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Bill of fare issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- U.s. Military Identification Card containing the person's photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person's photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not elapse, for voters aged 18-69, the adequate form of photo identification may exist expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling identify. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable course of photo identification may exist expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
My adequate photo ID is expired. Will it still work?
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters anile eighteen-69, the acceptable photo identification must exist current or have expired no more than than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling identify. For voters anile 70 or older, the acceptable form of photograph identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
What if a voter does not have any of the acceptable forms of photo ID?
If a voter does not possess an adequate class of photo ID and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such ID, the voter may still cast a regular ballot by presenting a supporting form of ID and executing a Reasonable Impediment Proclamation, noting the voter'due south reasonable impediment to obtaining an adequate form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the declaration is truthful, that the voter is the aforementioned individual personally actualization at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an adequate form of photo identification.
Hither is a list of supporting forms of ID:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter'southward name and an accost, including the voter'due south voter registration document;
- copy of or original current utility beak;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- re-create of or original authorities bank check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) nascency certificate or (b) a certificate confirming nascency admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter's identity (which may include a foreign birth certificate).
Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photograph identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration process in the canton. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.Southward. Social Security Assistants evidencing the applicant's inability, or from the U.Southward. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percentage. The bidder must also state that he/she does non take a course of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will non need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Announcement.
If a voter states that they (a) practice not possess an adequate course of photo identification listed above, and the voter can reasonably obtain one of these adequate forms of identification or (b) possesses, but did non bring to the polling identify, ane of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed above, the voter may cast a provisional ballot at the polls. Yet, in order to have the provisional election counted, the voter will be required to visit the voter registrar's function within six calendar days of the date of the election to present one of the in a higher place forms of photo ID; OR, if applicable, submit one of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (east.g., religious objection or natural disaster); OR, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption addressed in these FAQs, in the presence of the county voter registrar. Alternatively, the voter may choose to get out the polling place and return earlier the close of the polls on election day with an acceptable form of photo ID to, if they otherwise authorize, vote a regular ballot at that time.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed or who do not nowadays an adequate form of photo identification listed above or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure because of certain natural disasters as alleged by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a conditional election, appear at the voter registrar's office within six (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an
affirmation swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in club for the voter'south ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.
What is a reasonable impediment?
Reasonable impediments identified on the Reasonable Impediment Annunciation are: lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of nascency certificate or other documents needed to obtain adequate photo ID, work schedule, family responsibilities, lost or stolen ID, or acceptable form of photo ID practical for just not received. Y'all must qualify for ane of these reasonable impediments in society to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. A person is subject to prosecution for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or Section 63.0013 of the Texas Election Lawmaking for providing a simulated statement or false data on a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
What if a voter does non accept whatever form of ID with them at the polling place and they do not have a disability exemption when they visit the polling identify?
If a voter does non possess an adequate form of photograph ID, cannot reasonably obtain one, and does not take or does not bring a supporting form of ID to present in connexion with a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, or if the voter does not possess an acceptable grade of photo ID and tin can reasonably obtain an adequate form of photo ID, or if the voter possesses, merely did not bring with them, an acceptable course of photo ID, the voter may cast a provisional ballot at the polls. However, in order to have the provisional ballot counted the voter will be required to visit the county voter registrar's office within six calendar days of the engagement of the election to present an adequate form of photo ID; OR, if the voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photograph ID, follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure; OR, if applicable, submit one of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar; OR, if applicative, qualify for the disability exemption addressed in these FAQs with the county voter registrar.

Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does non have it at the polling place, or a voter who does non possess an acceptable grade of photo ID, and is reasonably able to obtain one, may choose to leave the polling place and return earlier the close of the polls on election day with an adequate grade of photo ID to vote a regular ballot at that time. In addition, a voter who does non possess, would otherwise not exist able to reasonably obtain an acceptable course of photo ID, merely did non bring a supporting form of ID to the polling place, may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on ballot day with said supporting form of ID to fill out the Reasonable Impediment Declaration and, if they otherwise authorize, vote a regular ballot at that time.
What if my adequate class of photo ID was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or is expired more than 4 years?
A voter whose photo identification has been lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or, for voters anile xviii-69, expired more than iv years does non possess one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, and, if the voter cannot reasonably obtain a replacement of the identification that was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or expired or another form of acceptable photo ID, the voter is eligible to present a supporting class of ID, execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, and, assuming they otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot.
My proper noun on my approved photo ID or my supporting ID (if applicative) does non exactly match my proper noun on my voter registration card. Can I all the same vote?
Election officials will review the ID and if a name is "
substantially similar" to the name on their list of registered voters, you volition notwithstanding be able to vote, but you will besides have to submit an affirmation stating that you are the same person on the list of registered voters.
What does "essentially similar" hateful?
A voter'due south name is considered substantially similar if one or more than of the following circumstances applies:
- The name on the ID is slightly different from one or more than of the name fields on the official list of registered voters.
- The name on the voter's ID or on the list of registered voters is a customary variation of the voter'due south formal name. For case, Nib for William
- The voter'southward name contains an initial, middle name, or old proper name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voter's ID.
- A first name, middle proper noun, former proper name or initial of the voter's name occupies a dissimilar field on the presented ID document than it does on the list of registered voters.
In considering whether a proper noun is substantially similar, election officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID matches elements of the voter'south data on the official list of registered voters such as the voter's residence address or date of nativity.
Is the DPS Election Identification Certificate even so going to exist available?
Aye. The Election Identification Certificate is now available, and volition be still exist a class of acceptable photograph ID. Data regarding how to obtain an ballot identification certificate tin exist found at world wide web.dps.texas.gov. You lot may also contact DPS by telephone at (512) 424-2600 for more information.

Should you need additional information, please contact our office via telephone at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or electronic mail u.s.a..

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