TYLER, Texas — As East Texans head to the polls for the March 1 Primary Election, CBS19 will be here all day to keep you informed of issues at the polls, wait times and what you can expect when casting your ballot.
According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, the voter must execute a RID.
If you know of something that needs to be addressed on election day, send an email to News@CBS19.tv.
LIVE BLOG:
4PM - Smith County has surpassed voting totals in both the 2014 and 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Elections. Current totals are over 9,000 votes.
In Smith County, a YouTube livestream will become live once polls close at 7 p.m. To view the video, use this click here.
1PM - Almost 4,000 residents in Smith County have cast their ballot as of lunchtime.
7AM - Polls open across East Texas. Polls will stay open until 7PM. If you are in line at 7PM, you will get to cast your vote.