September 4, 2014

The Honorable Nandita Berry

Texas Secretary of State
Texas Capitol, Room 1E.8
Austin, TX 78701



Dear Secretary Berry:

This letter is to follow up on our correspondence from April 2014 asking you to work with
our staff to eliminate barriers that prevent Texans from registering to vote.

As you will recall, Texas ranked a dismal 49th in the nation in voter turnout for the 2012
general election. For the 2010 general election, we were dead last. In large part, this is
due to the fact that our state was 42nd in voter registration in 2010, with only 61.6
percent of voting-eligible Texans reporting they were registered to vote that year.

We are especially concerned that registered voters who lack the appropriate
identification documents will be prohibited from voting this November.

Although the state has initiated an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) program, and
instituted mobile EIC stations, it has come to our attention that only 279 EICs have been
issued statewide as of August 15, 2014.

That number represents practically zero percent of the estimated 1.3 million registered
voters who dont have a drivers license and are in need of an EIC.

We respectfully ask that you expand your efforts to get these voters their EICs before
the election this November. We ask specifically that the state do the following:

Provide mobile ID stations in each of the major metropolitan areas (Austin,
Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen and San Antonio)
and for at least seven days, including at least two weekend days, between now
and Election Day.

Provide mobile ID stations in rural communities, for at least seven days, including
at least two weekend days, between now and Election Day.

Ensure the mobile ID stations are open during weekend and evening hours as
well as regular work hours.

Set the dates and locations of the mobile ID stations at least 21 days in advance
to give individuals sufficient time to obtain the underlying documentation required

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to be issued an EIC, such as birth certificates.

Work with local elected officials and community leaders to advertise the days,
locations, and times for the mobile ID stations.

Make sure the mobile ID stations are fully staffed to adequately assist all
populations in the area bilingual staff in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc. as
the case might be and that they be accessible to physically challenged voters.

We look forward to working with you and your staff during the coming months on
improving access to EICs and during the legislative session on increasing the number of
registered voters in Texas.

Sincerely,







Kirk Watson, Chair John Whitmire Judith Zaffirini




Rodney Ellis Eddie Lucio, Jr. Royce West



Juan Hinojosa Carlos Uresti



Jos Rodrguez Sylvia Garcia