1. Texas asks appeals court to uphold voter photo ID law

The Office of the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Department of Public Safety partnered to offer Election Identification Certificates at mobile stations in Tyler and Smith County.

Five mobile stations will visit Smith County today and Thursday. Election Identification Cards are available to qualified voters who do not otherwise have an approved form of photo ID for voting.

Photo identification will be required under a newly administered state law. Several identification options are available. If you have an unexpired Texas driver’s license, state identification card, Concealed Handgun License, U.S. passport, a military identification or citizenship certificate with photos – you can access ballots.

State and local election officials recommend residents with valid identification check the name listed on their preferred form against what is printed on their voter registration card to ensure names are the same.

Texas residents who are U.S. citizens and eligible to vote – but who do not have one of those forms of photo identification – can apply for Election Identification Certificates, which are free and valid for six years.

Election Identification Certificates will be available at local Texas Department of Public Safety offices.

Applicants will need to bring evidence of citizenship and identity to all locations. There are 33 qualifying documents that can be used to apply. A full list is available at www.votetexas.gov.

“This is a great opportunity for citizens who need a form of ID to vote, but may not have time to visit the DPS office,” Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said. “DPS is bringing five convenient locations to the citizens.”

The mobile units will be at the following locations in Smith County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

PATH , 402 W. Front Street, Tyler, Texas 75702

Tyler Public Library(10 a.m. to 4 p.m. only) 201 S. College, Tyler, Texas 75702

Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75702 (today only)

The Cotton Belt Building, 1517 W. Front Street, Tyler, Texas 75702

The Tyler Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2000 W. Gentry Pkwy., Tyler, Texas 75702 (Thursday only)