Texans face monthslong delays for ID needed to vote. But there's another way.

[Nevilledog]

https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/08/19/texas-id-to-vote-reasonable-impediment-form-dps-staffing-shortage/74810945007/

No paywall link
https://archive.li/z9gdR

Karan Shirk has searched for three months for appointments on the Texas Department of Public Safety website, looking for anything between Austin and San Antonio. She keeps getting the same automated reply:

“No Availability. There is no availability for service type: Apply for first time Texas ID.”

“I’m frustrated and a little bit angry,” Shirk told me this past week, still scouring for an appointment so the 18-year-old grandson she’s helped raise can get his first Texas identification card.

Both are growing anxious about this problem. Nathan Shirk, who graduated from Crockett High in May, is eager to vote in this fall's presidential election. Texas requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls, yet the shortage of appointments at Central Texas DPS offices makes that ID nearly impossible to get.

It’s not like the system is offering appointments that are months away. It’s giving the Shirks nothing near Austin at all. I got the same “No Availability” response this past week when I searched for first-time ID appointments in Austin. Broadening the search area pointed me toward appointments in Lampasas, Killeen or the town of Caldwell.

*snip*

[ret5hd]

1. A passport is acceptable ID...and takes less time.

As a bonus, it can be used for other things also!

[ga_girl]

3. A passport card is also acceptable ID. Fits in a wallet slot.

Currently on R/passport, processing time for a passport is about 4-5 weeks.

[slightlv]

2. This is flat-out voter suppression! n/t

[oogiecatt]

4. Tried calling early mornings?

Had a friend that worked for DPS for a few years & one of the ideas shared was to call in the early morning to see if the place you prefer to go has room that day (from canceled appts or whatever) for someone to come in. I know that means there isn't much choice, but it is one way around their crazy system.