Travis County offers certificates

New voter identification laws in Texas—passed by the state Legislature in 2011—will be enforced in the November 2013 election.

Voters must now present one of seven valid forms of photo ID in order to cast a ballot. A voter registration card by itself will no longer be sufficient.

All documents except the citizenship certificate must be no more than 60 days expired when presented at the polls, according to Travis County.

The laws are being enforced by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on the heels of a June 25 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a key part of the Voting Rights Act.

Voters who do not have a valid form of ID can apply for a free election identification certificate at driver's license offices.

Travis County is issuing IDs before the Nov. 5 Election Day as part of its voter mobilization effort.

To get a free ID, residents should bring two of the following documents: Social Security card, voter registration card, Medicare or Medicaid card, ID card issued by a government agency, unexpired insurance policy or an expired Texas ID.

The EIC is valid for six years, but any EIC issued to a voter older than 70 has no expiration date.

For more information, visit www.keepcalmvoteon.com or www.votetravis.com, or call 512-238-8683.