Texas asks for photo ID to vote in person and an ID number to vote by mail.
1
Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Texas requests a photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have one, you can still vote by signing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and showing a supporting form of ID.
Option 1: Show an accepted photo ID
Your photo ID:
Can be expired up to 4 years (longer if it expired after your 70th birthday).
You can show:
Texas driver’s license
Texas state ID card
Texas Election ID Certificate (EIC)
US passport or passport card
US Citizenship Certificate (no expiration)
Texas handgun license
Military identification
Naturalized citizens who have a “temporary or limited-term” driver’s license or state ID card (issued before you became a citizen) must also present their naturalization certificate or naturalization card. If you have questions, call or text VoteRiders’ Helpline at 866-432-8683.
Option 2: Sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration
If you don’t have one of the photo IDs above, you can still cast a regular ballot.
Present one supporting form of ID:
Voter registration certificate
Certified US birth certificate (including US territories)
Or a document that shows your name and an address:
Current utility bill
Bank statement
Paycheck
Government check
Other government document
Then ask to complete and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form.
A “reasonable impediment” is something you can’t control that stops you from getting an accepted photo ID. Texas accepts these reasons:
lack of transportation
lack of birth certificate (or other necessary documents)
disability or illness
conflict with your work schedule
family responsibilities
photo ID was lost or stolen
applied for photo ID but haven’t received it
Election workers aren’t allowed to challenge your reason for not having an ID.
Option 3: Ask for a Provisional Ballot
If you can’t show a photo ID from Option 1 or vote under a reasonable impediment exception in Option 2, ask to vote a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls.
For your provisional ballot to count:
Visit your county’s voter registration office within 6 calendar days of the election and do one of the following:
Present one of the 7 accepted forms of photo ID.
Sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present a supporting form of ID.
If applicable, submit a temporary affidavit (for example, religious objection or natural disaster).
If applicable, qualify for a permanent disability exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free ID in Texas?
Free IDs are available for Texas voters!
Registered voters without an accepted photo ID can get a free Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC).
Election workers aren’t allowed to challenge your reason for not having an ID. For example, if you check “lack of transportation,” the poll worker should not question your access to a bus route or other transportation.
Vote a provisional ballot and return with ID
Cast a provisional ballot if you can’t present ID or vote under a reasonable impediment exception.
Visit your county’s voter registration office within 6 calendar days of the election.
Present an accepted photo ID, sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration with a supporting ID, submit a temporary affidavit, or qualify for a permanent disability exemption.
If you don’t have an accepted photo ID, you can get a free Texas Election ID Certificate. See the FAQ “How can I get a free ID in Texas?” above.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Texas?
You must show a physical ID at the polls.
You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when voting in person.
Can I use a suspended driver’s license to vote in Texas?
Yes. A suspended driver’s license is accepted as voter ID in Texas.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Texas?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Texas.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Texas now issues only REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state ID cards. If you need to renew your Texas license or ID (or apply for a new one), you must go through the REAL ID process. Visit the Texas DPS website to learn more.
Does my ID need to have the same name and address as my voter registration?
Address
Your ID is not required to show your current address in Texas. If you are registered at your current address, it’s okay to use an accepted photo ID with an old address — you should be allowed to cast a regular ballot.
Name
If the name on your ID is slightly different but still very close (“substantially similar”) to the name on the list of registered voters, you can still vote. You just need to confirm you’re the same person on the list. Election officials consider the name “substantially similar” if:
It is slightly different from the name on the official list of registered voters.
One of the names is a common variation of your formal name (e.g. Bill for William, or Kate for Katherine).
You have an initial, middle name, or former name that is missing on either the list or your ID.
Your ID has your first name, middle name, former name, or initial in a different place than the list.
Include these numbers even if your ID has expired. If you don’t have any of them, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number — and check the box if you don’t have a Social Security number either. If you have two of the required numbers (for example, a driver’s license number and a Social Security number), write both so the number matching your voter registration is included. You’ll be sent a notice if your application is rejected.
Returning a ballot by mail:
Include the same identification numbers (or check the appropriate box) on your completed mail ballot envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can vote by mail in Texas?
In Texas, you have to give a specific reason for voting by mail.
The following reasons are accepted:
Being away from your county during early voting hours and on Election Day
Physical disability or illness
Being age 65 or older
Expected to give birth three weeks before or after Election Day
If your mail ballot is rejected, the early voting clerk must send you notice of the rejection, including how to correct the defect.
How to fix it:
If your ballot is rejected because the information doesn’t match your voter registration record, you can correct it using the online Ballot by Mail Tracker at votetexas.gov.
If your ballot is rejected because you didn’t provide the necessary identification, the clerk must offer you the chance to correct it, with instructions on how to update your voter registration record.
If your mail ballot is rejected, you will receive a letter called a Notice of Rejected Ballot at your mailing address (and the mailing address on your ballot, if different). You may also receive an email.
2
Register
Who can vote in Texas?
You need to register before you can vote in Texas.
You can vote in Texas if you meet these requirements:
You are a citizen of the United States.
You are a resident of Texas.
You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Texas if:
You have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.
You are under a court order that takes away your right to vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register to vote in Texas if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register in Texas, visit Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Texas if I attend college in Texas?
College students are allowed to vote using their Texas school residence address.
You can decide whether to register in your home state or where you attend school.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
How to Register
Required ID Information
You have to verify your identity when you register to vote!
If you have a driver’s license or state ID card:
Give your license or ID number on the registration form.
If you do not have either ID:
Give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
Don’t have a Social Security number? Leave this part of the form blank.
If you do not provide an ID number when you register, be ready to show an accepted ID the first time you vote.
If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.
How do I fix or update my voter registration information?
If you cannot find your registration information or if any details are incorrect:
Texas requests photo ID to vote in person. You can vote without a photo ID if you sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form and present a supporting form of ID.
Voting by Mail
Only some Texas voters can vote by mail.
Reasons you can vote by mail include:
Being away from your county during early voting hours and on Election Day
Physical disability or illness
Being age 65 or older
Check the FAQ “Who can vote by mail in Texas?” below for the full list of reasons accepted by the state.
Texas voters must provide specific ID numbers twice. Give the same numbers when you apply for a mail ballot and when you return it.
You must provide one of the following numbers on your application form:
Texas driver’s license number
Texas state ID card number
Texas Election ID Certificate number
Include these numbers even if ID has expired!
If you do not have any of these numbers, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
There a box that you can check if you also do not have a Social Security number.
If you have two of the required numbers (for example: a Texas driver’s license number and a Social Security number), you should write both on your application form. This will ensure that you include the number that matches your voter registration information file with the state.
You will be sent a notice if your ballot application is rejected.
Returning a Ballot by Mail
You need to include the same identification numbers (or check the appropriate box) on your completed mail ballot envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I track my Texas mail ballot?
In Texas, you have to give a specific reason for voting by absentee ballot.
The following reasons are accepted:
Being away from your county during early voting hours and on Election Day
Physical disability or illness
Being age 65 or older
Expected to give birth three weeks before or after Election Day
If your mail ballot is rejected, the early voting clerk must provide you with notice of the rejection, including information explaining how to correct the defect.
If your ballot is rejected because the information on your ballot does not match your voter registration record, you will be able to correct your ballot using the online Ballot by Mail Tracker, available at votetexas.gov.
If your ballot is rejected because you do not provide the necessary identification, the clerk must offer you the opportunity to correct this defect. You will be giving a notice with instructions on how you can update your voter registration record to include one or more of the required forms of identification.
If your mail ballot is rejected you will receive a letter called a Notice of Rejected Ballot to your mailing address (and the mailing address on your ballot if different). You may also receive an email.
