Election Day: Don't Forget To Bring ID

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Tuesday is Election Day across Texas, and the polls are officially open to voters! Polling places opened at 7:00 a.m. and will stay open until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

This is the first election year with the new voter ID law in effect. When voters get to the polling places, they will be required to show a valid photo ID along with their voter registration card. Officials said that no eligible voters should be turned away. But, in some cases, those who have different names on their ID card and their voter registration will have to sign an affidavit to be able to vote.

The voter ID law is aimed at preventing any fake voters from getting an opportunity to cast a ballot. "If I've got people who are going to vote with my future in mind, I'd like to know that they have some stake in the game," said voter Andre Harvey on Tuesday.

A driver's license should suffice for most Texas voters. But, if you do not have a valid driver's license, you can also bring a U.S. passport, U.S. military ID card with photo, a Texas concealed handgun license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or a personal ID card issued by the Texas DPS.

"I wasn't expecting any problems," said voter Tom Wiegand, "I just had to get a new license so it's got all the right address and photo ID and everything on it."

If you do forget to bring a valid form of ID to your polling place on Tuesday, you will still have a chance to cast your vote -- provisionally. You will then have six days to confirm your identity with the voter registrar's office.

Early voting numbers already showed that this election has seen a better turnout than two years ago. According to Texas Secretary of State John Steen, early voting numbers doubled in Dallas County and nearly tripled in Tarrant County.

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