Equal IDs Under Law:
The Barrier
Texas has one of the nation’s strictest Voter ID laws. Texas courts have ruled in five cases that Texas’ Voter ID law is intentionally discriminatory against minorities.
Not on the list of acceptable forms of identification are IDs that would allow many traditionally disenfranchised groups to participate in elections in the same way as those who carry currently accepted forms. Student IDs and state or federally-recognized Tribal IDs are the most glaring omissions.
Student IDs are issued to every college student after he or she provides proof of identity upon enrollment. The college or university requires the student to bring in an official photo identification to confirm information. Despite being convenient and secure options, they are not currently acceptable voter ID. It is critical for students to understand what forms of identification they can use at the polls so they are not turned away or forced to take extra steps to cast a ballot that counts.
Native American voters also face problems when heading to the polls in Texas, including long distances between polling sites and their homes, inadequate translation services, and in Texas, not being allowed to use their Tribal IDs to vote. Out of the 17 states requiring a photo identification to vote, 7 allow tribal IDs. Native American voter turnout is 5-14% lower than that of other racial and ethnic groups, calling into question whether such barriers unduly burden native voters.
There are three federally recognized native tribes in Texas: Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo. And two state-recognized tribes: the Lipan Apache Tribe and the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians.
For some members of native tribes, their only means of identification is their tribal ID. Native American tribal documents are federally issued and establish both identity and employment authorization. In fact, getting a tribal ID in Texas is more rigorous verification process: both a birth certificate and DNA testing is required. Nevertheless, Texas does not include tribal IDs as an acceptable form of proving identity at the polls.
Current Texas Voter ID laws are intentionally discriminatory against those with perfectly acceptable forms of identity. Both students and members of native tribes should be able to use their official IDs to verify their identity when voting.
The Solution
Make student and tribal IDs accepted for voting.
We must continue to fight to make sure every eligible Texan is able to vote with reforms such as allowing student IDs, tribal IDs, and considering other forms to be acceptable for identity verification when voting.
Accepting these established and secure forms of ID promote voter engagement and help the voter feel confident in the voting process without fear of facing rejection, penalties, or being cast away before making it to the voting booth.