Early Voting for Constitutional Election Starts Monday, Voter ID Required

Brown County elections officials are working to prepare for the Special Constitutional Amendment Election on November 5th (Election Day) as well as early voting and new changes requiring voter identification.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, in 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) creating a new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in person. While pending review within the judicial system, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Shelby County v. Holder, which effectively ended all pending litigation. As a result, voters are now required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to vote in all Texas Elections.

Below 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 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

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

According to Brown County Elections Administrator Suzy Young, the new voter ID requirement will cause confusion for some at the polls, as the required ID such as a driver’s license needs to be in the voter’s legal name.

“The law permits a similar name, but the voter will have to vote provisionally and then within 6 days bring in documentation to clear up the inconsistencies of their identification,” said Young.  “After the election and during the election, if the name doesn’t match their voter registration, their vote will not count.”

Young illustrated with her own legal name, Suzanne, some of her photo identification could have Suzy.  This similar name is permitted.  If a name does not somewhat match, a voter could be turned away, so Young encourages all voters to make sure that their voter registration card, social security card and driver’s license all be in the voter’s legal name, if not, get it changed before December 5th so that the voter may cast a vote in the primary election which will be held in March of 2014.

For the current election, Young and her staff ask voters to please be patient with the staff as they work through this change.

“I want the voter’s experience to be enjoyable, so that none are disenfranchised,” said Young.  “If there are any problems, I ask that voters please don’t leave the polling location, come to the elections office and talk to us so that we can help.  Anytime something new is introduced, we have to find our way to best serve the voters.”

For more information on Voter ID requirements, please click here.

Although historically elections other than the Presidential election years experience low voter turnout, this election holds some important issues through Constitutional Amendments, important issues are addressed that affect citizens.  According to Brown County Elections Office officials, the last constitutional election saw approximately 10% of voters at the poll.  All registered voters are encouraged to mark their calendars and take note of their particular polling locations, and cast their vote during the early voting period or on Election Day.

Click here for a sample ballot of the Special Constitutional Amendment Election.  For a sample ballot of the Blanket ISD Bond Election, click here.

Early voting for the Blanket ISD Bond Election will be held at the Blanket ISD administration building.  This polling location will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. from Monday, October 21st through October 31st.  On November 1st, the Blanket ISD administration polling location will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.  Blanket ISD voters may also vote on Election Day at their precinct locations listed below.  Voters in the Blanket ISD include all of Precinct 307 and parts of Precincts 212, 308, 316 and 318.

Early voting for the Constitutional Amendment election will be held at the Adams Street Community Center, located at 511 E. Adams Street, Brownwood, Texas 76801.  Polls will be open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. beginning Monday, October 21st through Friday, November 1st.

On Election Day, polling locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and are as follows:

For more information or questions, please contact the Brown County Elections Administrators Office at 325-646-4333.