Texas Voter ID Law Updated……Again

While the bill was blocked by another permanent injunction, the U.S. 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ruling in September.

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14, which required voters to show a voter ID in order to vote at the polls.

The bill was thrown out by a U.S. District, who stated the bill discriminated against minorities, in 2014. However, earlier this year, lawmakers passed a revised version of the bill, known as Senate Bill 5, which would allow voters without a photo id to vote by providing other forms of identification.

While the bill was blocked by another permanent injunction, the U.S. 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ruling in September.

There are seven types of photo ID accepted under the original law.

• Drivers license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by Texas DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by Texas DPS
• Texas License to Carry a handgun issued by Texas DPS
• S. Military ID Card with Photo
• S. Citizenship Certificate with personal photo
• S. Passport

Voters without a valid form of ID can apply for an Election Identification Certificate for free at any driver’s license office. For residents under the age of 70, an EIC is valid for six years; for those older than 70, it does not expire.

For more information on how to apply for an EIC, check the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website.