Voters going to the polls for the November 2014 general election during early voting Oct. 20 through Oct. 31 and on Election Day Nov. 4 must provide government-issued proof of identity.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay Oct. 14 on U.S. District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos’ recent decision striking down the Texas Voter ID Law. Ramos, of Corpus Christi, compared the law to an “unconstitutional poll tax” because some people might be poor to pay the fees needed to obtain the proofs of identification.

The appeals court announced that the three-judge panel reviewing the lower court’s decision determined the change would come too soon before the election, and that it might lead to confusion and disruptions at the polls.

The Texas Legislature passed the law requiring proof of identity in 2011. Critics of the law complained Republican legislators designed the bill to lessen the impact of minority voting. Proponents claim the law prevents illegal voting.

Acceptable forms of voter identification are a Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, a Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, a Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS, a United States military identification card containing a photograph, a United States citizenship certificate containing a photograph or a United States passport.

Any of the forms of identification presented at the polls identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

Voters with a disability may apply with their county voter registrar for a permanent exemption. The application must be accompanied by documentation of the disability by the U.S. Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating a disability of at least 50 percent. Obtaining the disability exemption allows the individual to vote by presenting only a voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption.

Other possible exemptions include individuals who have religious objections to being photographed or anyone who has lost identification as a result of a natural disaster as declared by a U.S. President or Texas Governor.

For information about polling sites and hours of operation in Kaufman and Henderson Counties visit Kaufmancounty.net and Henderson-county.com and review the Elections Departments information pages.

Voting nformation about Gun Barrel City's proposed new property tax can be found at gunbarrelcity.net.