SAN ANTONIO – While heading into the busiest last two days of early voting, Bexar County elections administrator Jacque Callanen said she’s been on the phone with voter after voter.
“There’s a ton of confusion out there,” Callanen said. “We’ve had some upset voters.”
Callanen said due to a series of court rulings last summer, many believe the voter ID law was overturned.
“In reality, it’s been expanded. It’s been eased for lack of a better term,” Callanen said.
Callenen said if a voter does not have a photo ID, there are seven other non-photo forms of identification that can be presented at the polling site. If they have nothing else, she said before they cast their ballot, there’s a form they can fill explaining why they have no ID, such as work hours and family commitments.
Due to widespread confusion across the state, a last-minute media campaign was launched Wednesday by the Texas Civil Rights Project and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
“This comes in response to the calls and emails we are receiving across the state,” said Zenen Jaimes Perez, spokesman for the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Perez said the television and radio spots in English and Spanish are airing in 20 media markets in hopes of reaching one million voters. The civil rights organization hopes to also reach voters through the internet as well.
Perez said the paid media campaign was made possible by the public education partnership of the Texas Association of Broadcasters.
“We decided that there needed to be more done in plain language, explaining what the voter ID law was,” Perez said.
Perez said the campaign tells voters the law is still in place.
“If you do have a photo ID, you have to present it,” he said.
Callanen said that’s what her office is telling Bexar County voters too.
“We’re asking people to please come to the polls and know you’re going to be asked for ID,” she said.
Callanen said there is more information on Bexar County Elections website.
Perez said voters also can call 1-866-OURVOTE, or visit to www.866ourvote.org for information.