Secretary of State Steen commends DPS for opening offices on Saturdays to issue Election IDs
Contact: Alicia Pierce
512/ 463-5770
AUSTIN, TX – Texas Secretary of State John Steen today commended the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for offering Saturday hours at nearly 50 driver license offices in order to issue more Election Identification Certificates (EICs).
“Saturday hours will provide additional opportunities for voters who don’t already have an approved photo ID to get an Election Identification Certificate in time for the November 5 election,” said Secretary Steen. “I want to thank DPS for making obtaining an EIC even more convenient and accessible.”
Select DPS offices will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning September 14 through November 2. During these hours, only Election Identification Certificates will be available. No other transactions will be conducted during these Saturday business hours. EICs are also available during normal operating hours Monday - Friday. There is no fee for an EIC.
Applicants for an EIC will need to present proof of citizenship and identity.
A list of DPS locations open on Saturdays for EICs is available to the public.
Photo ID is now required when voting in person. Many Texans already have an approved form of ID and will not need or qualify for an EIC. Acceptable forms of ID in addition to an EIC are:
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (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
November 5 will be the first statewide election in Texas with the new photo ID requirement.
For more information about voting in Texas, visit www.VoteTexas.gov