Early voting in Texas started last week and ends on Friday.

I walked to the polling place from my office across the street. No line, but steady flow of people in and people out. It was very busy. The poll worker at the entrance (Hall Monitor) was instructing us to turn our cell phones off and have our ID ready. Per the Texas voting information website:

Q: What ID do I need to bring with me to vote?
A: Identification is not required to register to vote in Texas, but you must take either your voter registration certificate or acceptable identification when you vote.

So, what is acceptable ID?

• A driver’s license or personal identification card issued to you by the Texas Department of Public Safety. You may also bring a similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, even if the license or card has expired;
• A form of identification that contains your photograph and establishes your identity;
• A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s identity;
• Your United States citizenship papers;
• Your United States passport;
• Official mail addressed to you by a governmental entity; or
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Personally, I believe people must first prove they are a citizen, then prove they are that person in order to register to vote, and then prove they are that person when voting. This ensures that MY vote is not cancelled out by an illegal vote. Without photo ID proving that I am that person registered to vote, what is there to prevent someone from taking someone else's voter registration card and going to the polls to vote? It's about voting integrity.

Today, Wednesday, I walked with my boss across the street so she could vote. I just wanted to get out of the office and the day is such a pretty day outside. I did get the stink eye from the hall monitor dude at the entrance. Not that I tried to go in or anything. I just sat in the lobby to wait. Same no wait line, but very busy, steady stream of people coming in and going out. My coworker and her husband were at the same polling station Saturday and waited over an hour in line to vote. 

It's good to see such a big turnout. It's a great day in America. God bless America.