What to do if you are turned away at the Texas election?

TEXAS – You've remembered your driver's license or photo ID, you've found the right polling place, and you're still being turned away at the polls.

There are a number of reasons why you may be told you are not allowed to vote. Maybe you recently moved and haven't updated your registration. Maybe you haven't voted in a while and have been marked as inactive.

This does not mean that you should leave the polling station and not vote.

Here's what you should do.

Do you have the right polling station?

• Make sure you have the right polling place. You can look up the polling location, which should be based on your current address, at your county election office. We have links on our Voting Guide.
• Please note that if you have not updated your address with your local election office, you may be rejected from voting. You can update your address if you have moved within the county, and a poll worker can either help you find the right polling place or update your address.
• If you have recently moved to the county, you will need to call the election office manager in your county for assistance in processing your registration.

Do you have the correct voter ID card?

The following are considered acceptable forms of identification in Texas:

• Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas ID card issued by DPS
• Texas handgun license issued by DPS
• United States military ID card containing the person's photo
• Certificate of United States citizenship with the person's photo
• United States passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Certificate of Citizenship, which does not expire for voters ages 18 to 69, the acceptable form of photo identification must not have expired more than four years before being presented at the polling place for eligibility to vote. For voters 70 years of age or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any period of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

Voter ID cards are available at DPS driver license offices during regular business hours.

If for some reason you are not in the system, follow these steps:

• Ask poll workers to check all surrounding systems for your name
• Ask to sign an affidavit swearing to your eligibility
• Call or visit your local election office if you do not have poll workers assisting you
• Request a provisional ballot and then follow up to make sure it is counted. You may need to provide additional information

Are you still being turned away from the ballot box?

Remember to be calm and clear in your intentions. Don't become aggressive or overly frustrated. Make it clear that you are here to exercise your right to vote. Then call your local poll workers to report any mistreatment by poll workers and ask for help casting your vote.

If you are still not satisfied, you can call your county's elections administrator.

• The U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 1-800-253-3931
• You can report intimidation to the Election Protection Hotline by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish).