Select Driver License Offices Open Saturdays to Issue Election Identification Certificates
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) only. 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.
In El Paso County, only 4 offices will be open on Saturdays from 10:00am through 2:00pm through March 1 for Election Identification Certificates ONLY :
El Paso-Gateway Office: 7300 Gateway East, El Paso, TX 79915, Phone: (915) 598-3487 El Paso-Hondo Pass Office: 4505 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX 79904, Phone: (915) 751-6455 El Paso-Northwestern Office: 1854 Northwestern Drive, El Paso, TX 79912, Phone: (915) 877-1647 El Paso-Scott Simpson Office: 11612 Scott Simpson Drive, El Paso, TX 79936, Phone: (915) 849-4100
The 2014 primary election in Texas is March 4, with early voting from February 18 – 28.
Texans can obtain an EIC at:
Any of the more than 220 Texas driver license offices during regular business hours Select driver license offices on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (EIC transactions only) DPS EIC mobile station locations (EIC transactions only); locations can be found at http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/documents/EICDPSrun.pdf and VoteTexas.gov Select county locations issuing only EICs at the local level
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 for a Texas Election Identification Certificate (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, please visit: http://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.
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