Courtesy of the latest Supreme Court ruling -- and the mind-numbing Bureaucracy known as VoteTexas.gov.
Welcome to the Machine ...
Required Identification for Voting in Person -- votetexas.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the new photo identification law go into effect?
The new photo identification requirement is effective immediately.
2. What kind of identification will be required to qualify to vote in person under the new program?
A voter will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before the voter will be permitted to cast a vote.
* 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 concealed handgun license 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
3. My ID is expired. Will it still work?
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
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Election Identification Certificate (EIC)
Texas voters must show a photo ID to vote in elections in Texas, unless you are exempt (see “Exemptions” below).
If you do not have any of the following acceptable forms of ID, beginning June 26, 2013, you may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge. [...]
* Texas driver license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
* Texas personal identification card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
* Texas concealed handgun license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
* U.S. passport book or card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
* U.S. Military identification with photo—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
* U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo
Election Identification Certificate (EIC) -- www.txdps.state.tx.us
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How to Apply
To apply for an EIC, visit a driver license office and complete an Application for Texas Election Certificate (DL-14C) (PDF) | Application for Texas Election Certificate (Spanish) (DL-14CS) (PDF) .
* Bring documentation to verify U.S. Citizenship
* Bring documentation to verify Identity
* Be eligible to vote in Texas *(Bring a valid voter registration card, or submit a voter registration application to the Texas Department of Public Safety)
* Be a Texas resident
* Be 17 years and 10 months or older
The information on the documents, such as name and date of birth, must all match. If the name is different on each document, then the individual must provide documents that verify a legal name change. If other information on the document is different, speak with a Customer Service Representative for assistance.
If you are using a name other than what is on your birth certificate, (example: married name), you will be required to show legal documentation of name change. Documents must be original or certified copy. No photocopies can be accepted.
Acceptable documents:
* Marriage license
* Divorce decree
* Court ordered name change
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Election Identification Certificates (EIC) – Documentation Requirements -- www.txdps.state.tx.us
To apply for an EIC, you must visit a driver license office and complete an Application for Texas Election Certificate (DL-14C).
To qualify for an EIC, you must:
* Bring documentation to the office to verify your U.S. Citizenship
* Bring documentation to the office to verify your Identity
* Be eligible to vote in Texas (Bring your valid voter registration card to the office, or submit a voter registration application through the Texas Department of Public Safety at the office)
* Be a Texas resident
* Be 17 years and 10 months or older
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Acceptable forms of required documentation
U.S. Citizenship
An applicant who is a U.S. citizen must present one of the following documents for verification through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
* U.S. passport book or card; or
* Birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia; or
* For U.S. citizens born abroad—Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State; or
* U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578); or
* U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197 or I-179)
Identity
An applicant for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) must provide documents satisfactory to the department to verify their identity. All documents must be verifiable.
There are three ways an individual can verify his/her identity when applying for an EIC:
* Bring one item listed in the primary identification category; or
* Bring two items listed in the secondary identification category; or
* Bring one item listed in the secondary identification category, plus two items listed in the supporting identification category.
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About those "supplemental forms" of Mix-and-Match forms ID -- that just might make you "a Citizen" in the 'guilty-until-proven-otherwise' eyes of the Texas ...
Election Identification Certificates (EIC) – Documentation Requirements
(Continued ...)
Applicants can present one primary document.
A Texas driver license or personal identification card issued to the person that has been expired for 60 days and is within two years of expiration date may be presented as primary identification.
Applicants who do not have a primary document can present two secondary documents.
These items are recorded governmental documents (United States, one of the 50 states, a United States territory, or District of Columbia).
Secondary identity documents include:
A. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency;
B. Original or certified copy of United States Department of State Certification of Birth (issued to United States citizens born abroad);
C. Original or certified copy of court order with name and date of birth (DOB) indicating an official change of name and/or gender; or
D. U.S. citizenship or naturalization papers without identifiable photo.
Applicants who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide one secondary document (from the list above) and two supporting documents.
Supporting identity documents include:
A. voter registration card;
B. school records;
C. insurance policy (at least two years old);
D. Texas vehicle or boat title or registration;
E. military records;
F. unexpired military dependant identification card;
G. original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree;
H. Social Security card;
I. pilot's license;
J. unexpired photo DL or photo ID issued by another (United States) state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia;
K. expired photo DL or photo ID issued by another (United States) state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia that is within two years of the expiration date;
L. an offender identification card or similar form of identification issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
M. forms W-2 or 1099;
N. expired Texas driver license or personal identification certificate (expired more than two years);
O. professional license issued by Texas state agency;
P. identification card issued by government agency;
Q. parole or mandatory release certificate issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
R. federal inmate identification card;
S. federal parole or release certificate;
T. Medicare or Medicaid card;
U. Selective Service card;
V. immunization records;
W. tribal membership card from federally recognized tribe;
X. Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood;
Y. Veteran's Administration card;
Z. hospital issued birth record; or
AA. any document that may be added to §15.24 of this title (relating to Identification of Applicants) other than those issued to persons who are not citizens of the U.S.
*Applicants for an EIC must also be eligible to vote in Texas. That means you will have to bring your valid voter registration card to the office, or you will have to submit a voter registration application through the Texas Department of Public Safety at the office.
Incredible! After all that --
you still need your
"valid Voter Registration Card" -- to get your alternate Texas Voting ID.
Hey, well at least it's good for something! (Besides bookmarks.)
Election Identification Certificate (EIC)
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Exemptions
If you are voting by mail, you do not have to submit a photo ID.
If you have a documented disability, you may apply at your county voter registrar for a permanent exemption from the photo ID requirement. If approved, you will not need a photo ID to vote.
For more information on the types of exemptions available, please visit your county voter registrar or the Texas Secretary of State.
votetexas.gov --
FAQ answers
Can anybody vote early by mail (also referred to as “absentee voting”)?
Only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you:
* will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting;
* are sick or disabled;
* are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or
* are confined in jail.
votetexas.gov --
FAQ answers
I fall under one of the 4 reasons above. What do I do now? Are there deadlines connected with this procedure?
First, request an Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) from the Early Voting Clerk in the political subdivision conducting your election, or from our office. Once received, read the instructions carefully, complete the ABBM form and return it to the Early Voting Clerk. For the November 4, 2014 Election, the first day to submit an ABBM to the early voting clerk is September 5, 2014; the last day (or deadline) to submit an ABBM is October 24, 2014—this is not a postmark date—the ABBM must be received in the office of the early voting clerk by October 24, 2014 in order for you to receive a ballot by mail.
VOTING EARLY -- votetexas.gov
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Vote early in person.
Generally, early voting in person begins the 17th day before Election Day (if that’s a weekend, early voting starts on Monday) and ends the 4th day before election day.
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Vote early by mail.
You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail from:
* The Secretary of State’s office
* The Early Voting Clerk in your county; or
* Download an application for a ballot by mail here.
If you are voting early because of an expected absence, you may apply in person for a ballot by mail before the early “voting in person” period begins (usually the 17th day before the election).
If you are voting by mail because you are disabled or are 65 years of age or older, you may use a single application to request ballots by mail for all county elections in the calendar year. To do so, simply mark “Annual Application” on your application for a ballot by mail when selecting the election for which you are applying.
Whew! Clear as ...
Mud.
No wonder half the population never bothers to votes -- Who's got the time, to get through their maze!?
How about a few more "blind allies" and impossibly-short "application windows," please? Texas, you're making it way too easy on those citizens tax-payers who don't drive or shoot stuff.
-- Or those who just love senseless obstacle courses and endless paperwork!
Texan Voter Fraud suspects (all 2 of you), don't forget those Voter Registration Cards when you go -- because you're gonna need them, too. Imagine that!