Real or Rumor? Expired voter ID cards

A rumor has spread that since the voter registration cards issued by Tarrant County expired in December, voters must re-register to vote or be disenfranchised in the 2012 elections. The rumor is FALSE.

The 2010 census showed a 4.3 million increase in Texas’ population. That increase gave Texas four additional seats in the US House of Representatives. The state had been divided into 32 Congressional districts, it must now be divided into 36 districts. Last May, the Texas Legislature drew a new map to incorporate these new districts. However, that map has been disputed in the courts ever since!

The upshot is, until a map is agreed upon, Texas does not have districts with assigned boundaries and numbers, so new voter ID cards cannot be issued. The blue voter ID cards expired in December; however, the voter registration rolls are unchanged. All registered voters will have new, yellow cards mailed to them when the redistricting issue is settled.

To verify this information, visit the Texas Secretary of State website or phone the Tarrant County Elections at 817-831-VOTE (8683). While on the phone with the local Elections Commission, please consider offering to be a poll watcher in the upcoming elections. They will need a lot of help this year!