FALSE RUMOR: The Address on Your Drivers License has to match the Address on your Voter Registration Card
TRUTH:
The driver’s license on your address does not have to match the address you are registered in. In fact, you do not need to have a driver’s license to vote.
This rumor is aimed at causing confusion and suppressing the vote, especially among students and other people who move often. The truth in Harris County is: if you have your voter registration card you do not need to show your driver’s license, and if you have an acceptable form of ID, you do not need your voter registration card.
A voter registration certificate is enough on its own to allow you to vote. If you have lost or misplaced your certificate, you must show another form of identification. Acceptable forms of identification include:
- A driver’s license or personal identification card issued by the Texas department of public safety
- A similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired
- A form of identification containing a photograph
- A birth certificate
- U.S. citizenship papers
- U.S. passport
- Official mail addressed to you from a government agency
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
- Any other form of identification presented by the secretary of state’s office.
FALSE RUMOR: If you vote Straight Democratic Party, you must also cast a vote specifically for Barack Obama in order to have an Obama vote registered.
TRUTH:
THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION probably initiated by Republican dirty tricksters, but now being spread by well-meaning Barack Obama supporters.
The truth is that if you cast a Straight Democratic Party vote in Texas, you will be voting for Barack Obama and your Straight Democratic vote will count as a vote for Obama. But if you then go down and “vote” for Obama, you risk actually inadvertently cancelling your Obama vote.
Don’t be fooled: If you are voting in Texas (or mailing a mail-in ballot to Texas), just cast a Straight Democratic Party vote and that will get Obama and all the Democratic candidates up and down the ballot (except for Chris Bell – you do have to cast a separate vote for him before your Straight Democratic vote because he is in a “special election”).
FALSE RUMOR: There are two Democrats running in Senate District 17
TRUTH:
There is only one real Democrat in this race. In Senate District 17 (Southwest Harris County – including West University, Bellaire, Sharsptown,& Alief areas), there is a special election to fill the State Senate Seat that will be the first race on the ballot. The HCDP urgers Democrats to support Chris Bell in this race, then vote “Straight Democratic Party.” Chris is the only real Democrat on the ballot, so please support him in this Special Election.
FALSE RUMOR: Early voting isn’t as good as voting on Election Day.
TRUTH:
Voting Early is strongly recommended by the HCDP and the Obama Campaign. It allows us to focus on voters who have yet to vote and getting them to the polls. By having supporters VOTE EARLY, you help the campaigns by making out lists shorter and our time spent more efficiently. Early Voting starts on Monday, October 20th.
FALSE RUMOR: If you wear Obama gear to the polls, you will be denied the ability to vote.
TRUTH:
No one is allowed to campaign within 100 feet of a polling location, so anyone with any campaign shirts, buttons, hats, or other campaign material will be asked to remove the item or cover up the shirt. No one will be DENIED the right to vote, you will simply be asked not to have campaign material inside the 100 feet boundary. You are allowed to bring candidate literature, like push cards.
The BEST solution: Vote early on Monday, October 20th while not wearing any campaign gear, then wear your Obama & Democratic gear until Election Day on November 4th to remind your friends and neighbors to vote.
