Voting helps determine the future of our cities, counties, state, and nation. As the Texas secretary of state, I am the state’s chief election officer charged with ensuring all eligible Texans know what they need to do to cast their ballots.
My office has undertaken a statewide voter education campaign engaging voters and working to ensure that all qualified voters in Texas understand what they need to bring to the polls in order to vote in ongoing and upcoming elections.
If a voter possesses a form of approved photo ID, the voter must use it to vote. Currently, there are seven forms of acceptable photo ID in Texas:
- Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas License to Carry a Handgun issued by DPS
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- U.S. passport
- U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
If the voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, the voter has additional options when casting their ballot in person.
If a voter does not possess and is not reasonably able to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, the voter may vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why the voter is reasonably unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, and (2) providing one of various forms of supporting documentation.
Voters age 65 or older, those with a disability, or those who will be out of the county during both early voting and Election Day may vote by mail. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Oct. 28.
The General Election is Nov. 8. The last day to register for the election is Oct. 11. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4. Visit VoteTexas.gov or call 1-800-252-VOTE.