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DPS to issue election IDs in Jack County Oct. 4-6

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 2:15 pm

Those needing identification to participate in the Nov. 8 election will be able to obtain it in Jacksboro for a few days coming up next month.

The Texas Department of Public Safety will have a mobile station issuing Election Identification Certificates to Texans who do not already have an acceptable form of photo ID necessary to vote at the Jack County Law Enforcement Center, 1432 FM 3344, October 4-6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Earlier this summer, Texas’ Voter ID law was determined to not comply with the Voting Rights Act by the by the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. But the law was not scrapped for the upcoming election.

US District Judge Nelva Gonzales was charged with temporarily fixing it.

An ID is still required, but voters can fill out a form if they have some impediment to getting an ID.

“It’s a reasonable declaration from saying the reason they can’t get an acceptable form of photo ID,” said Jack County Clerk Vanessa James. “It can be lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of a birth certificate or other documents needed to obtain a photo ID, work schedule or family responsibilities and produce a supporting form of ID from a list.”

Exemptions may be made for those who have a religious objection to being photographed or voters who do not have an ID due to natural disasters.

Forms of acceptable photo IDs to vote include a Texas driver license, Election Identification Certificate, personal identification card issued by DPS, license to carry a handgun, US military ID with photograph, US citizenship certificate with photograph or a US passport.

Also the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is approaching. It is Oct. 11. 

“If they’re not registered, they have to fill out a provisional ballot and it has to be determined if it’s accepted and if not, they’ll get a letter saying their vote wasn’t included,” James said.