Voter ID Information

Required Identification

Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the vote centers when voting in person.

Voters who do not possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one of the forms of acceptable photo identification listed below, may present a supporting form of identification and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please note the voter’s reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the declaration is true, that the voter is the same individual personally appearing at the Vote Center to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification.

NOTE: Providing a Texas Driver’s License or Texas Personal ID expedites the voter qualification process.

Texas Driver License issued by DPS

Texas Handgun License issued by DPS

United States citizenship certificate containing your photograph

Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS

Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

United States Passport (book or card)

United States Military Identification Card containing your photograph

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the Vote Center.

Voters who currently do not have an approved form of photo ID may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge with the Department of Public Safety. Voters can obtain this ID by visiting a DPS Drivers License office or an EIC Mobile Station.

Do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of these IDs?

Voters who do not process one of the seven acceptable forms of ID can fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) at the Vote Center, and show a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of identification:

- a government document that shows the voter's name and an address, including the voter's voter registration certificate;

- a current utility bill;

- a bank statement;

- a government check;

- an paycheck; or

- a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law, which establishes the voter's identity (which may include a foreign birth documents.

Voters who are unable to provide an acceptable form of photo ID or an acceptable supporting document may vote provisionally. Voters will need to sign a provisional affidavit and will have 6 days after the election to cure their ballot by bringing approved photo identification to the Voter Registrar.

EXEMPTION: Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to showing acceptable photo ID or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the vote centers. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed or voters who do not present an acceptable form of photo identification or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the vote centers because of certain natural disasters may apply for a temporary exemption to showing an acceptable form of photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the vote centers. Please contact your voter registrar for more details.

Voter ID Resources

Procedures for Voting

When a voter arrives at a vote center, the voter will be asked to present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID that is current or, for voters aged 18-69, expired no more than four years. Voters aged 70 or older may present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID that is expired for any length of time that is otherwise valid. If a voter does not possess one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, the voter may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter’s reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the declaration is true, that the voter is the same individual personally appearing at the vote center to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification.

Election officials are still required by State law to determine whether the voter’s name on the identification provided (acceptable photo ID, or supporting form of ID, if applicable) matches the name on the official list of registered voters (“OLRV”). After a voter presents their ID, whether it’s an acceptable form of photo ID or a supporting form of ID (if applicable), the election worker will compare it to the OLRV. If the name on the ID matches the name on the list of registered voters, the voter will follow the regular procedures for voting.

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

If a voter possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does not have it at the vote center, the voter will still be permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have six (6) days to present an acceptable form of photo identification to the county voter registrar, or fill out the natural disaster affidavit referenced in the Exemption/Exceptions section below, or the voter’s ballot will be rejected. Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable form of photo ID, but does not have it at the Vote Center, may choose to leave and return before the close of the vote center on Election Day with said acceptable form of photo ID to, if the voter would otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that time.

Exemptions

Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in Harris County. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing the applicant’s disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. The applicant 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 will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate 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 being photographed or who do not present an acceptable form of photo identification listed above or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar’s office within six (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for the voter’s ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.