Declaration votes are a type of vote that allows a voter to cast a ballot even if they do not possess an acceptable form of photo identification. In Texas, for example, if a voter cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo ID, they may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting their reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification. The voter must state that the information contained in the declaration is true, that they are the same individual personally appearing at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that they face a reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification. The election judge should enter the date and sign the declaration, and the voters Voter Unique Identification Number should be filled in or affixed with a sticker.

Declaration votes are also used in provisional voting, which is designed to allow a voter whose name does not appear on the list of registered voters due to an administrative error to vote. The provisional voting process involves an affidavit that the voter must complete stating the reasons they are qualified to vote. The provisional voting process requires the voter to visit the voter registrar’s office within six calendar days of the date of the election to either present an acceptable form of photo ID or execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present one of the acceptable forms of supporting ID. The voter-marked provisional ballots are kept separately from the regular ballots, and the voter’s records will be reviewed by the provisional voting ballot board to determine if the voter is eligible to vote.