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League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area
HomeID for Voting

ID for Voting

Registered voters may use any one of the following photo IDs to vote

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>Texas Driver License
>Texas Driver License

Texas Driver License


  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID address does not need to match address on your voter registration
  • OK to use your TX driver license with old address from another TX county
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
  • your license does not need to have a "REAL ID compliant" gold star in order to vote
  • DPS paper receipt with photo/temporary TX Driver License is acceptable 

 

(Image from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>Texas Personal Identification Card from DPS
>Texas Personal Identification Card from DPS

Texas Under 21 Identification CardTexas Identification Card


  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID address does not need to match address on your voter registration
  • OK to use your TX Personal ID with old address from another TX county
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
  • your TX personal ID does not need to have a "REAL ID compliant" gold star in order to vote
  • DPS paper receipt with photo/temporary TX personal ID card is acceptable 

 

(Images from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC)
>Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC)

Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC)


  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
  • your ID does not need to have a "REAL ID compliant" gold star in order to vote
  • DPS paper receipt with photo/temporary DPS Election Identification Certificate is acceptable
  • you can get an Election Identification Certificate for free if you do not already have any of the other forms of acceptable photo ID. Call the Texas Department of Public Safety (512) 424-2600 for more information.


Note: The Election Identification Certificate (photo above) is not the same thing as your Voter Registration Certificate/Card (photo below).


Voter Registration Card

 

(Image of EIC from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>Texas Handgun License from DPS
>Texas Handgun License from DPS

Texas Concealed Handgun LicenseTexas Handgun License


  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.

 

(Images from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>U. S. Military ID with servicemember
>U. S. Military ID with servicemember

Veterans IDMilitary ID

  • military ID may include, but are not limited to
  • Uniformed Services ID Cards
  • Department of Defense (DoD) Common Access Card (CAC)
  • DoD Civilian Retiree Cards
  • Veteran Identification Card (VIC)
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.


(Images from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>U. S. Citizenship Certificate with person's photo
>U. S. Citizenship Certificate with person's photo

Certificate of Naturalization


  • U. S. Certificate of Citizenship or U. S. Certificate of Naturalization
  • name on certificate does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.


 (Image from “Providing Identification for Voting in Texas.” Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, 2 May 2018, www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/id/acceptable-forms-of-ID.pdf.)

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>U. S. Passport Book or Passport Card
>U. S. Passport Book or Passport Card

Passport BookPassport Card


  • can be expired for up to 4 years (no limitation on expiration period for people age 70+)
  • ID name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • substantially similar match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.

Important to note:

Election officials must not question you about voter ID issues.

  • These photo IDs can be expired for up to four years on Election Day.  For voters age 70+, the photo ID can be expired any number of years.
  • The address on the photo ID does not need to match the address in the Official List of Registered Voters.
  • The name on the photo ID does not need to exactly match the name in the Official List of Registered Voters.

*In addition to the acceptable photo ID, it is a good idea to bring your voter registration card to provide proof that you are registered in case your name does not show up in the Official List of Registered Voters (OLRV).*


If a registered voter doesn't possess one of the photo IDs above, and cannot reasonably get one, they can still vote:


The voter can present one of the following supporting forms of ID (original or copy) showing the voter's name and address and sign a simple form.

If you have your current voter registration card, that is an acceptable form of supporting ID.

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>Government document with your name and address
>Government document with your name and address
  • copy or original
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable—you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
  • expired or current
  • examples:
  • your voter registration card, expired or current

Voter Registration Card

  • a driver license from another state
  • Texas Driver License expired for any number of years
  • ID cards with address issued by federally recognized Native American tribes


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>Utility bill
>Utility bill
  • original, copy, or printout of online bill
  • dated from within the past two months
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
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>Bank statement
>Bank statement
  • original paper statement, copy, or printout of online statement
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
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>Government check
>Government check

Government Check


  • original or copy
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name on government check does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
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>Paycheck
>Paycheck

Paycheck


  • original or copy
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name on paycheck does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
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>Certified domestic birth certificate
>Certified domestic birth certificate


Domestic Birth Certificate

  • from any U. S. state (does not have to be Texas) or U. S. territory 
  • original or copy
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name on document does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
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>Document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity
>Document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity


  • original or copy
  • must show name and address
  • address does not have to match the address you used to register to vote
  • name on document does not have to exactly match the name on your voter registration
  • "substantially similar" match is acceptable; you'll simply initial a box acknowledging you are the person on the list of registered voters, and you will be offered an optional form that will change your name on your voter registration so you won’t be asked about it every time you vote.
  • example:
  • birth certificate from another country

Birth Certificate from Another Country

Please note the following about providing the supporting ID and signing the form:

  • The voter is entitled to vote a regular ballot.
  • Election workers may not question your reason why a photo ID could not be obtained.
  • The address on your supporting ID does not need to match the address in the Official List of Registered Voters.
  • The name on the supporting ID does not need to exactly match the name in the Official List of Registered Voters.

Need help getting acceptable Texas photo ID?


VoteRiders can answer your questions, as well as help obtain necessary documents, arrange transportation, and cover costs associated with getting state photo ID.

  • Contact VoteRiders at 844-338-8743 or info@voteriders.org.

For further voter ID information

Call the office of the Texas Secretary of State at 800-252-VOTE (8683) or visit https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id.html.

League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area

PO Box 12811

San Antonio, TX 78212
league@lwvsa.org
(210) 657-2206