Texas Rep. R.D. "Bobby" Guerra in District 41 reminds voters that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in advance of the upcoming primary election will be offering Saturday hours at select driver license offices throughout the state to issue Election Identification Certificates (EIC) to Texans who do not already have an acceptable form of photo identification necessary to vote. DPS will also be deploying mobile stations to various locations across Texas in an ongoing effort to ensure Texans have access to EICs. Additionally, select county offices will be issuing EICs at the local level.

The 2014 primary election in Texas is March 4, with early voting from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28. The March 4 primary will be the biggest election to be held in the Lone Star State since the implementation of new voter ID laws. These laws have been controversial and are expected to impact the elections heavily, especially on the Democratic side of the ballot box.

DPS EIC mobile station locations (EIC transactions only); can be found at https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/documents/EICDPSrun.pdf and VoteTexas.gov.

Most residents already have an acceptable form of photo identification needed for voting and will not need or qualify for an EIC. If an applicant already has any of the following documents, they are not eligible to receive an EIC:

- Texas driver license - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- Texas personal identification card - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. passport book or card - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- Texas concealed handgun license - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. Military identification with photo - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
- U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo

To apply for an EIC, applicants must visit one of the locations listed above and complete an application found online at https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/forms/DL-14C.pdfe (DL-14C).

To qualify for an EIC, an applicant must:
- Bring documentation to verify U.S. citizenship and Identity
- Be eligible to vote in Texas (Bring a valid voter registration card or submit a voter registration application through the Texas Department of Public Safety)
- Be a Texas resident
- Be 17 years and 10 months or older

To avoid delays or complications, DPS urges potential applicants to make sure they have the necessary documentation before arriving at the office.

The EIC receipt an individual receives will include their photo and can be used for voting until the permanent card is delivered by mail.

The EIC is free of charge to qualifying applicants and is valid for six years. There is no expiration date for an EIC for citizens 70 years of age or older. The EIC can only be used for the purpose of voting in an election and may not be used as personal identification.

For more information on the requirements, exemptions and process for obtaining an EIC, visit:
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/electionID.htm.

For more information on voting in Texas, visit the Secretary of State's website:
www.votetexas.gov.

(Edited from press release.)