2026 Election Protection Safeguards
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Austin, Texas – The Texas State Conference of the NAACP today announced the launch of its Election Protection Group, a coordinated effort to safeguard voter rights across the state ahead of the Texas Primary Election on November 3, 2026.
The initiative will be led by the NAACP’s Legal Redress Committee, working alongside the Political Action and Civic Engagement Committees, and supported by legal experts from the National NAACP Office of General Counsel. Key leaders include Legal Redress Chair Robert Notzon, Election Expert and Labor Chair Linda Lewis, Legal Redress Co-Chair Jesse Gaines, and NAACP Staff Member Lonzo Kerr.
“With record voter turnout expected across Texas, we must be vigilant against any threat to fair access at the polls,” said Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP. “Our Election Protection Group is here to ensure that every eligible voter — especially those from historically marginalized communities — can cast a ballot safely, confidently, and without fear of disenfranchisement.”
Bledsoe emphasized that recent changes to Texas voting laws heighten the need for robust monitoring and rapid response.
“In recent years, Texas has enacted numerous laws that make it easier to disenfranchise voters. We have challenged many of these laws in court, but we must also be prepared on Election Day to ensure voters know their rights and have help if irregularities occur,” Bledsoe added.
The Texas NAACP and the National Office of General Counsel will jointly staff the Election Protection Office on Election Day. Attorneys Robert Notzon and Jesse Gaines, Election Law Expert Linda Lewis, and Lonzo Kerr will head the Texas operations. Voters who experience problems can report them directly to the NAACP by phone at (512) 985-9151 or by email at Votemonitor@naacp-net.org.
Know Your Voting Rights
Texas voters are encouraged to prepare in advance to ensure a smooth voting experience. Acceptable forms of identification include:
Texas Driver License or Personal Identification Card
Texas Election Identification Certificate
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License
U.S. Military ID with photo
U.S. Citizenship Certificate with photo
U.S. Passport (book or card)
Expiration: For voters aged 18–69, IDs may be expired for up to four years. Voters 70 and older may use IDs expired for any length of time.
What to do if you’re a registered voter without ID: Voters who do not possess or cannot reasonably obtain one of these IDs may complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID such as a utility bill, bank statement, or voter registration certificate.
More information is available at: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html
Reporting and Election-Day Guidance
The Texas NAACP reminds voters that cell phone photography is not permitted inside polling places, so voters should take notes of names or incident details outside the polling area if problems arise.
“Our message to Texans is simple,” Bledsoe said. “Stay informed, be prepared, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you face barriers to voting. Together, we can protect the integrity and accessibility of our democracy.”
Problems at the polls: If voters encounter irregularities, intimidation, or interference, they may report incidents to the Texas NAACP State Conference by phone at (512) 985-9151, by email at votemonitor@naacp-net.org, or by contacting Lonzo Kerr at (512) 659-4816.
For legal emergencies, voters are also encouraged to consult the official election protection partners and the National NAACP Office of General Counsel. votemonitor@naacp-net.org
Names don’t match: If a voter’s name appears on the registration list but is not an exact match, the voter may submit an affidavit affirming their identity to proceed. When identification requirements cannot be met, voters have the right to cast a provisional ballot, with instructions provided to cure the ID issue afterward. Election officials may also allow voting when registration errors or omissions are discovered and corrected on site.
These procedures exist to protect against disenfranchisement—ensuring that no eligible voter is turned away for lacking up-to-date identification. Voters are encouraged to check the Texas Secretary of State’s website for the most current information and bring printed documentation when possible. Please remember if you are given a provisional ballot you will need to provide timely proof of your identity, etc. after the ballot has been cast. Ask the election officials for the details, any time and place requirements, etc., if you are given a provisional ballot.
If ICE appears at the polls you are permitted to use your cell phones outside the polling place to detail the events.
Contact:
Lonzo Kerr, Texas NAACP
Email: lkerrnaacp@gmail.com
Phone: (512) 659-4816 or (512) 985-9151
