Texas Legislature Passes Bill Softening Government Photo ID Requirement for Voters at the Polls
On May 28, the Texas legislature passed SB 5, which eases the existing Texas law requiring voters at the polls to show government photo-ID. The bill allows people who don’t have such ID to vote anyway. However they must sign a statement explaining that they don’t have such ID, and if they are found to have not told the truth, are subject to serious criminal penalties.
The text suggests that it wouldn’t be like it is here in Michigan, where you can say you don’t have ID on you — and still sign the form and get a regular ballot that will be counted (i.e., it’s not a provisional ballot).
This in effect responds to the concerns expressed by the 5th Circuit, in ongoing litigation.
It permits IDs that have been expired for up to four years (rather than 60 days), and permits those over 70 to continue to use an ID regardless of expiration. It also codifies the provisions for mobile units for issuing Election ID Certificates. An Election ID Certificate, is like a Driver’s License or Personal ID, but it is free.
An affidavit of reasonable impediment is not for use when a voter does not have an ID, but rather when there is a reasonable impediment to obtaining one. This requires the voter to complete an affidavit of reasonable impediment. An election judge may not question the voter about the reasons given.
The governor signed SB 5 on June 1, and it will go into effect on January 1, 2018 for the primaries. The November 2017 election will be under terms of the TRO.