opinion
Not having Texas or US ID makes voting harder. It creates unnecessary steps. This is a barrier that voters are often unaware of.
Published August 19, 2024 at 6:03am by Bridget Grumet
Texas Teenager Determined to Vote Faces Challenges Due to ID Appointment Backlog
Karan Shirk has spent 3 months searching for an appointment on the Texas DPS site for her 18-year-old grandson:
“No Availability. There is no availability for service type: Apply for the first time Texas ID.”
Shirk and her grandson, who wants to vote in the upcoming presidential election, are frustrated by the lack of appointments near Austin, a problem also flagged by State Rep. Erin Zwiener. The DPS website suggests appointments in other cities, but this isn't feasible for many.
Alternative Path to Voting
Valerie DeBill, of the League of Women Voters of Austin, highlights that voters without IDs can fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form at the polling place, along with other documentation, like a utility bill or pay stub.
Texas DPS Staffing Shortage
The bottleneck is due to a DPS staffing shortage, especially in Central Texas, according to DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen. Zwiener suggests that boosting pay for DPS workers in this region could help address the issue.
Resources for Voting and Getting a Texas ID:
Read more: Texans face monthslong delays for ID needed to vote. But there's another way. | Grumet