Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2015-11-11 4:46 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
>> The Texas law is a bit overboard. As Carol stated "some form of ID"
>> would include an expired driver's license or student ID. It is possible
>> to make a sensible law.
>
> In theory. The problem is that politicians get involved.
>
NO.

In reality:


http://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) creating a
new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in
person. While pending review within the judicial system, the U.S.
Supreme Court issued its opinion in Shelby County v. Holder, which
effectively ended all pending litigation. As a result, voters are now
required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to
vote in all Texas Elections.

This requirement is effective immediately.

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

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 persons
photograph
United States citizenship certificate containing the persons photograph
United States passport
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.

Procedures for Voting

When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to
present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID. Election
officials will now be required by State law to determine whether the
voters name on the identification provided matches the name on the
official list of registered voters (€œOLRV€�). After a voter presents
their ID, 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 €œsubstantially 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 does not have proper identification, the voter will still be
permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have (six) 6 days to
present proper identification to the county voter registrar, or the
voters ballot will be rejected.

Exemption/Exceptions:

Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a
permanent exemption. The application must contain written documentation
from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing he or she
has been determined to have a disability, or from the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent.
In addition, the applicant must state that he or she has no valid form
of photo identification. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be
allowed to vote by presenting a voter registration certificate
reflecting the exemption. Please contact your voter registrar for more
details.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed
and voters who do not have any valid form of photo identification as a
result 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 registrars office within six (6) calendar days
after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious
objection or natural disaster, in order for your ballot to be counted.
Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

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 persons
photograph
United States citizenship certificate containing the persons 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.

4. But what if a voter does not have any of these forms of photo ID? Are
there any exceptions?

If a voter does not have a permanent disability exemption (addressed
below) indicated on his or her voter registration certificate AND the
voter does not have any of the photo identifications indicated above at
the time of voting, 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 voter registrars office within six
calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the
above forms of photo ID OR submit one of the temporary affidavits
addressed below (e.g., religious objection or natural disaster) in the
presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that
he or she does not have any of the required photo IDs.

A permanent exemption is available for voters with documented
disabilities. Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter
registrar for a permanent exemption. The application must contain
written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security
Administration evidencing the applicants disability, or from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at
least 50 percent. In addition, the applicant must state that he or she
has no valid form of photo identification. Those who obtain a disability
exemption will be allowed to vote by presenting a voter registration
certificate reflecting the exemption.

Affidavits are available for voters who have a consistent religious
objection to being photographed and for voters who do not have any photo
identification as a result of certain natural disasters as declared by
the President of the United States or the Texas Governor within 45 days
of the day the ballot was cast.

5. If I have a government-issued ID that contains my photo and it is not
on the list above, may I use it?

If you do not have one of the forms of photo IDs listed above and your
voter registration certificate does not have a disability exemption
noted, you will only be eligible to cast a provisional ballot.

6. My name on my approved photo ID does not exactly match my name on my
voter registration card. Can I still vote?

Election officials will review the ID and if a name is €œsubstantially
similar€� to the name on their list of registered voters, you will still
be able to vote, but you will also have to submit an affidavit stating
that you are the same person on the list of registered voters.

7. What does €œsubstantially similar€� mean?

A voters name is considered substantially similar if one or more of the
following circumstances applies:

The name on the ID is slightly different from one or more of the name
fields on the official list of registered voters.
The name on the voters ID or on list of registered voters is a
customary variation of the voters formal name. For example, Bill for
William, or Beto for Alberto.
The voters name contains an initial, middle name, or former name that
is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the
voters ID.
A first name, middle name, former name or initial of the voters name
occupies a different field on the presented ID document than it does on
the list of registered voters.
In considering whether a name is substantially similar, election
officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID
matches elements of the voters information on the official list of
registered voters such as the voters residence address or date of birth.

8. Does the new photo ID requirement apply to voting by mail?

The new requirement does not change the process for voting by mail.

9. Does the address on my photo identification have to match my address
on the official list of registered voters at the time of voting?

The new requirement makes no determination on voter address matching
criteria; therefore, there is no address matching requirement.

10. When is the DPS Election Identification Certificate going to be
available?

The Election Identification Certificate is now available. Information
regarding how to obtain an election identification certificate can be
found at www.dps.texas.gov. You may also contact DPS by telephone at
(512) 424-2600 for more information.

11. What happens if I refuse to show proof of identity?

Voters who refuse to show proof of identity will be allowed to vote by
provisional ballot. However, please be advised that a refusal to show ID
is not a valid ground for casting a provisional ballot, and it is likely
that the voters ballot will be rejected by the ballot board.

We hope you have found this information helpful. Should you need
additional information, please contact our office via telephone at
1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or email us.