On Monday, October 24, 2016, between 8:10 a.m. and 8:40 a.m., my wife and I were on line to vote in early-voting for the 2016 general election. We were at the Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston, Texas 77074. Three times during our wait in line, I heard a Harris County poll worker tell prospective voters to have their photo I.D.’s out and ready for the clerk. At best, that was misleading information. At worst, that statement could have suppressed voter ...participation if unsophisticated voters were afraid to vote without photo I.D.
The Texas voter I.D. statute does require use of photo identification to vote. However, as a result of a federal court lawsuit this past summer, voters in Texas may use non-photo identification to vote under certain circumstances. See http://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id/
When I informed the worker of the fact that photo I.D. was not necessary in some circumstances, and she should so inform prospective voters in line, she refused. I instructed her to get the on-site election judge so that the matter could be resolved.
The on-site election judge agreed with me and instructed the County worker to modify her instructions to prospective voters waiting in line. Thereafter, I did hear her tell other prospective voters in line about the non-photo I.D. option.
My concern is that this sort of thing could possibly be occurring at other polling locations. Voting is one of the few contacts with our government that most people have. It is also one of our most sacred and cherished rights. The information provided by government officials to all prospective voters– and particularly those who may not know their rights– should be accurate and complete. Under no circumstances should it leave room for a United States citizen to wrongfully believe that he or she is ineligible to vote for want of a photo identification card.
It would not be the worst idea for all of us to be cognizant of what is occurring at the polls during this general election.
