FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dotty Griffith, Public Education Director, ACLU Foundation of Texas
(713) 942-8146 x 103 or (832) 291-4776; [email protected]
HOUSTON – Newly issued voter registration certificates may be causing voters to believe – incorrectly – that procedures for the May primary election are different from those to which they’ve grown accustomed. Voters DO NOT have to show a photo ID to vote in the May primary elections, the ACLU of Texas today reminded election officials and voters.
“We’ve been asked more than once to interpret the confusing language on voter registration certificates,” said Terri Burke, Executive Director of the ACLU of Texas. “Let’s set the record straight. The Photo Voter ID law is NOT in effect, and you can vote in the primary as you always have.”
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has blocked Texas’ Photo Voter ID law from taking effect because it violates a critical section of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by discriminating against minority voters, many of whom lack the kinds of ID the law requires. Although the State of Texas has sued DOJ and challenged the VRA, that case is still pending.
“You can still vote, even if you don’t have any of the IDs listed on the back of your new voter registration certificate,” explained Burke. She added that the explanation on the back of the new registration certificates lists what forms of ID will be required if the Photo Voter ID law ever takes effect. “Since the law is not yet in effect – and may never be – you won’t need those forms of ID for this election,” said Burke.
Voters and election officials should know:
Whatever form of ID voters have used in past elections is still acceptable including any one of the following:
- Voter registration certificate
- Driver’s license or another photo ID card
- Birth certificate
- U.S. citizenship papers
- U.S. passport
- Official mail addressed to the voter from a government entity
- A copy of a utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, government check, or other government document with voter’s name and address.
Election workers cannot require a voter to show a photo ID. If that happens the voter should:
- Remind the election worker that the Photo Voter ID law is not in effect: “The Photo Voter ID law has not been approved by the Justice Department and is not yet in effect.”
- Remind the poll worker of existing law. “Under section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code, the valid forms of ID include, for example: (1) a voter registration certificate; (2) a driver’s license or photo ID card; (3) a birth certificate; (4) U.S. citizenship papers; (5) a U.S. passport; (6) official mail addressed to you from a government entity; or (7) a copy of a utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, government check, or other government document with your name and address.”
- Ask for help from a different poll worker.
If a voter is still denied the right to vote without showing a photo ID, the voter should:
- Tell a poll watcher
- Call the local voter registrar’s office or one of these election hotline numbers
- Texas Secretary of State: (800) 252-8683
- U.S. Department of Justice: (800) 253-3931
- ACLU Voting Rights Project: (877) 523-2792.
