To vote in Texas, individuals must present an acceptable form of photo identification at the polling place, such as a Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas personal identification card, or a U.S. passport. If a registered voter does not possess one of these IDs, they may use other forms like a government employee ID, U.S. military ID, or a valid student ID from a Texas public college or university, accompanied by a voter registration certificate. Ensuring the correct identification is brought helps prevent delays and ensures a smooth voting process.
What Identification is Necessary for Voting in Texas?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Driver License | Texas requires voters to present one of several approved forms of photo identification, with the Texas Driver License being the most commonly accepted ID for voting. The Texas Driver License must be current or expired no more than 60 days to be valid for voter identification purposes at the polls. |
| 2 | Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) | Voters in Texas must present an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls, with the Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) serving as a key option for individuals lacking other government-issued IDs. The EIC is issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety and specifically designed to facilitate voting, ensuring eligibility verification for residents without driver's licenses or passports. |
| 3 | Texas Personal Identification Card | The Texas Personal Identification Card is an acceptable form of photo ID required for voting in Texas, issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety to residents who do not have a Texas driver's license. This card includes the voter's name, photograph, and date of birth, meeting the state's identification requirements to verify eligibility at the polls. |
| 4 | Texas Handgun License | Texas voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification at the polling place, and a Texas Handgun License is one of the valid IDs recognized by the state for voting. This license includes a clear photo, ensuring the voter's identity can be reliably verified during the election process. |
| 5 | United States Military Identification Card (with photograph) | Voters in Texas must present a valid form of photo identification, and a United States Military Identification Card with a photograph is fully accepted as proof of identity at the polls. This ID confirms the voter's identity and residency, meeting all legal requirements under Texas election law for voting eligibility. |
| 6 | United States Citizenship Certificate (with photograph) | A United States Citizenship Certificate with a photograph is an accepted form of identification for voting in Texas, verifying both identity and U.S. citizenship. Voters must present this certificate along with a valid photo to meet Texas voter ID requirements and ensure eligibility at the polls. |
| 7 | United States Passport (book or card) | A valid United States Passport, either book or card, serves as an acceptable form of photo identification required for voting in Texas, verifying a voter's identity and citizenship. This federal-issued identification ensures compliance with Texas voter ID laws, facilitating a secure and streamlined voting process. |
Overview of Voter Identification Requirements in Texas
Voter identification in Texas is mandatory to ensure the integrity of elections. The state requires voters to present an acceptable form of photo ID at the polling station.
Acceptable forms of identification include a Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas concealed handgun license, United States military identification card with photo, or a United States citizenship certificate containing a photograph. IDs must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before the election. Voters without an acceptable photo ID can still cast a provisional ballot and must provide ID within six days for the vote to count.
Why Texas Requires Voter Identification
Texas requires specific forms of identification to verify a voter's identity and ensure the integrity of elections. This measure helps prevent voter fraud and maintains public confidence in the electoral process.
Accepted identification includes a Texas driver's license, election identification certificate, personal identification card, or other government-issued photo IDs. These requirements are designed to confirm each voter's eligibility and citizenship before casting a ballot.
List of Accepted Photo ID Documents for Voting
What identification is necessary for voting in Texas? Your accepted photo ID must be current or expired less than 4 years. The list includes Texas driver license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a handgun, U.S. military identification card with your photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with your photo, and U.S. passport.
Alternative Forms of Identification Permitted
Voters in Texas must present valid identification to cast their ballot, ensuring election integrity. Alternative forms of identification permitted include a Texas Election Identification Certificate, a Texas personal identification card, and a Texas driver license issued by the Department of Public Safety. Other accepted documents include a United States military identification card containing the voter's photograph and a United States citizenship certificate with the voter's photo.
Provisional Ballots: What to Do If You Lack ID
Voters in Texas must present an acceptable form of identification to cast a regular ballot, ensuring their eligibility and preventing fraud. If a voter lacks the required ID at the polls, they are provided the option to submit a provisional ballot.
- Provisional Ballot Submission - Voters without valid ID can still vote provisionally, allowing their eligibility to be verified later.
- Verification Requirement - After Election Day, voters must present an acceptable ID to the county voter registrar or early voting clerk within six days for their provisional ballot to count.
- Acceptable Forms of ID for Provisional Ballots - Valid forms include a Texas driver license, personal identification card, election identification certificate, or certified birth certificate among others.
Provisional ballots help ensure that every eligible voter has a chance to participate even if they lack ID at the moment of voting.
Guidelines for Expired Identification Documents
Voters in Texas must present valid identification to cast their ballots, ensuring voter eligibility and election integrity. Expired identification documents have specific guidelines that determine their acceptance at polling locations.
- Expired Driver License - Texas voters may use an expired driver license if it expired no earlier than 4 years before the election date.
- Military ID Validity - Expired military identification is acceptable only if it expired no more than 60 days before the election.
- Identification Exceptions - Certain forms of expired ID, such as concealed handgun licenses, are valid without time restrictions for voting purposes.
Address and Name Matching Rules for Voter ID
| Identification Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptable Voter IDs | Texas accepts multiple forms of photo ID for voting including Texas driver license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a handgun, U.S. military ID card with photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, and U.S. passport. |
| Name Matching Rules | The name on the voter ID must exactly match the name on the voter registration certificate. Minor variations such as use of nicknames or abbreviations are not accepted. Middle names or initials must match if included on the registration record. |
| Address Matching Rules | The address on the voter registration must be current and accurately reflect the voter's residence. The address does not need to appear on the photo ID as long as the voter registration address is valid and up to date in the state database. |
| Exceptions | If a voter does not have the required ID, they may present a supporting form of identification such as a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck with name and address that matches the registration address. |
Special Provisions for Voters with Disabilities
Voters with disabilities in Texas are provided special accommodations to ensure their participation in elections. They may use accessible voting devices or request assistance from authorized individuals.
A valid form of identification is still required, but alternatives such as an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) or a utility bill with name and address are accepted. These provisions help eliminate barriers and support equal voting opportunities for all eligible Texans.
Consequences of Not Meeting Identification Requirements
Voters in Texas must present an acceptable form of photo identification to cast a ballot. Acceptable IDs include a Texas driver's license, Texas Election Identification Certificate, U.S. passport, or military ID. Failure to provide valid identification may lead to provisional ballot issuance, which requires later verification to count the vote.
What Identification is Necessary for Voting in Texas? Infographic
