Texas has reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice to broaden voter identification rules, allowing for additional forms of ID to be used to cast ballots for the upcoming November elections. The proposal was submitted to U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos for approval, which is expected soon.
The office of the Texas Attorney General has said the concession is a short-term fix and that the state will consider an appeal to the country’s highest court.
Voters without one of the acceptable forms of identification will be allowed to sign an affidavit in order to have their vote counted. In addition to signing an affidavit, these voters will be required to present a certified birth certificate, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or a government document. Election officials will be prohibited from questioning a voter's inability to obtain an ID under the Texas law.