Secure & Fair Elections
Secure Elections
One tactic to ensure secure elections is by requiring voters to present a photo ID that confirms they are the person they are presenting themselves to be.
Why Does Texas Need Voter Photo ID?
By presenting a state-issued photo identification card at polling locations, election officials can better verify the individual is eligible to vote and voters are not representing someone other than themselves.
Is Voter Fraud a Problem?
Unfortunately, yes. Texas has already experienced vote fraud, which threatens our democracy and the faith of Texans in the election process. Since 2004, the Attorney General’s office has received over 50 cases of voter fraud.
Voter fraud is extremely difficult to detect and prove under current laws, but it is easily prevented. Voter photo ID is a proven way to deter ineligible voters from casting ballots and catch and prosecute them when they do.
Do Texans Support Voter Photo ID?
Yes. A recent University of Texas study showed 70% of Texans support Photo ID and ranked it as the third most important issue facing the Texas Legislature this session.
In 2008, Georgia and Indiana, the states with the strictest voter ID requirements, saw record-setting voter turnout that surpassed turnout increases in states without voter photo ID requirements. This could be an indicator that voters are more likely to turn out and vote when they have confidence in the voting process.
Fair Elections
In addition to making sure our election process is free from voter fraud, SAFE-Texas is dedicated to ensuring that proving voter eligibility is fair and not unduly burdensome.
SAFE-Texas supports legislation that provides accommodation to voters such as helping voters without a photo ID to obtain one at little or no extra cost.
In addition to providing free photo identification to voters who are burdened by the cost of obtaining a photo ID, SAFE-Texas is open to allowing exemptions be available for unique situations, such as for senior citizens who may not possess valid identification.
Sign the Petition
“I agree Texans need and deserve secure and fair elections and that requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls is a common sense way to help ensure the integrity and strength of our election process.”