Register to vote by October 9

AUSTIN – Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos reminds all eligible Texans to register to vote by October 9th and to make all necessary preparations to be able to cast a ballot in the upcoming November 6 General Election.

Pablos encouraged all eligible Texas voters to ensure that they are registered to vote in their county of residence, and are aware of what they need to bring to the polls in order to cast a ballot.

Additionally, Pablos urged voters to contact their respective county elections offi ces to become familiar with their ballot, locate their appropriate polling location, and plan their trip to the polls.

With the October 9th voter registration deadline just over a month away, Pablos issued one last call-to-action by urging Texans to register and take the necessary steps to be prepared to vote.

Eligible Texans who are not already registered to vote may complete and print a voter registration application or request an application from their county elections administrator. Once completed, eligible Texas voters may submit the application to the county voter registrar in their county of residence. Completed voter registration applications must be postmarked by October 9th, 2018 in order to be accepted. Texans may check to see if they are already registered to vote through the Texas Secretary of State’s web site or by visiting www.votetexas.gov.

To avoid longer waiting times on Election Day, the Texas Secretary of State encourages eligible registered voters to vote during the early voting period from Monday, October 22nd to Friday, November 2nd, 2018. During the early voting period, Texas voters can cast a ballot at any location in their county of registration.

Additionally, Secretary Pablos has proclaimed the fi rst Friday of the early voting period (October 26th) to be Student Voting Day in the State of Texas, when all eligible Texas students are encouraged to cast their ballot in their county’s nearest polling location during times that do not confl ict with their scholastic obligations.

Pablos also reminds Texas voters who possess one of the seven approved forms of photo ID that they must present that ID at the polls. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID may execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form, available to them at each polling location, and provide a supporting form of identifi cation. Additionally, certain voters may qualify for certain exemptions to presenting an acceptable form of photo identifi cation or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure.

The seven forms of approved photo ID are:

Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS);

Texas Election Identifi cation Certificate issued by DPS;

Texas Personal Identifi cation Card issued by DPS;

Texas Handgun License issued by DPS;

United States Military Identifi cation Card containing the person’s photograph;

United States Citizenship Certifi – cate containing the person’s photograph; and

United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certifi cate, which does not expire, the acceptable photo ID must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualifi cation at the polling place. A voter 70 years of age or older may use a form of acceptable photo ID listed above that has expired for any length of time if the identifi cation is otherwise valid.

If a voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo identifi cation listed above, and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such identifi cation, the voter may fi ll out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form, which will be available at each polling location, and present a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of identifi -cation:

a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certifi cate;

a current utility bill;

a bank statement;

a government check;

a paycheck;

a certifi ed domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certifi cate; or

a document confi rming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)

The address on an acceptable form of photo identifi cation or a supporting form of identifi cation, if applicable, does not have to match the voter’s address on the list of registered voters.

Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable form of photo identifi – cation or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the polls. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed or voters who do not present an acceptable form of photo identifi cation or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the polls because of certain natural disasters may apply for a temporary exemption to presenting an acceptable form of photo identifi cation or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure. For more details, voters may contact their county voter registrar.

Voters with questions about how to cast a ballot in upcoming elections can call 1-800-252-VOTE

For more information on voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov.

---