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Federal Court Reinstates Texas Voter ID For Upcoming Election

Julian Aguilar
/
Texas Tribune

A federal court today confirmed that Texas voters will need a valid photo ID when early voting begins next Monday. 

A lower court ruled last week that the Republican-backed law was unconstitutional. But on Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said it’s too late to change the rules before the polls open.

The appeals court didn’t rule on the merits of the law which means the legal battle continues.

The U.S. Justice Department and many Texas Democrats claim that requiring a voter ID suppresses minority turnout in elections.

Registered Texas voters will need to present one of seven forms of photo identification to cast a ballot for the Nov. 4 elections.

The following forms of ID will be accepted:

  • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
  • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
  • Texas concealed 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
Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.