Does Texas Now Require ID for Mail-in Ballots?
A federal appeals court has ruled that Texas can enforce its law requiring voters to provide identification when casting mail-in ballots, reversing a previous decision that blocked the measure. The ruling is a major victory for state Republicans who argue the law prevents fraud—but critics say it creates unnecessary barriers for vulnerable voters.
Court Backs Texas Mail-in Voting ID Rule
In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Texas’ requirement that voters must include an ID number—such as a driver’s license or partial Social Security number—on both mail-in ballot applications and the ballots themselves. The numbers must match the voter’s registration records for the vote to count.
Judge James Ho, a Trump appointee, wrote that the rule “fully complies” with federal law, specifically the Civil Rights Act’s provision that voting requirements must be “material” to determining eligibility. “Mail-in ballots are not secure,” Ho stated, echoing past concerns about fraud.
The decision reverses a 2023 ruling by a lower court, which found the ID mandate unfairly burdened voters with disabilities and the elderly—groups most likely to vote by mail.
Political Reactions: A Win for GOP, Worry for Advocates
Texas Republicans celebrated the ruling as a safeguard for election integrity. Attorney General Ken Paxton called voter ID “one of the most crucial tools” against fraud. Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed the 2021 law, has long argued such measures boost public confidence in elections.
But civil rights groups, including the League of Women Voters of Texas, warn the rule could disenfranchise voters. A Brennan Center study found that during the 2022 primaries, many mail ballots were rejected due to ID mismatches, leading some voters to give up entirely. Opponents say the law solves a “problem that doesn’t exist,” given the rarity of mail-in fraud.
What the Ruling Means for Texas Voters
With the law now in full effect, mail-in voters must ensure their ID numbers match their registration records. Those unsure which number they used (e.g., a driver’s license vs. Social Security digits) can check with their county election office.
While rejected ballots can often be “cured” (corrected), the process adds steps for voters—and time pressure. Advocates urge affected groups, like seniors and disabled Texans, to verify their details early.
The ruling could also influence other GOP-led states pushing similar ID laws, setting a precedent for tighter mail-in voting rules nationwide.
