Voter ID decision could boost Texas efforts for such a law

[sonias]

AAS Postcards from the Lege blog 4/28/08
Voter ID decision could boost Texas efforts for such a law

States can require voters to show voter identification, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Texas Republicans have pushed for such a requirement in recent years and are likely to keep doing so, saying it prevents voter fraud. They’re likely to pick that fight back up when the Legislature returns in January.

Texas Democrats, who say such laws discourage some elderly and minority voters from going to the polls, have so far managed to thwart those efforts.

The court ruled 6-3 that an Indiana voter ID law can stand. That law is considered among the toughest voter ID laws in the country.
(snip)

"I’m saddened that the Supreme Court has chosen to legalize discrimination,"state Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, said in reaction to the court’s decision. "But just because they court’s decision indicates that it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right."

More on the SCOUTS ruling in the Election Reform forum here

Got ID? How far behind is Real ID? :grr:

Sonia

[sonias]

1. Dewhurst hails Supreme Court ruling, state fight likely

Dewhurst hails Supreme Court ruling, state fight likely
Dewhurst hails Supreme Court ruling, state fight likely

AUSTIN —Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst hailed Monday's Supreme Court ruling that approves states' efforts to pass a voter identification law and said he looks forward to passing such a measure when the legislature meets again next year.

The ruling galvanizes a Republican-inspired effort that Democrats say will keep some poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots.

(snip)
Efforts to pass a voter ID bill last year divided the Legislature along partisan lines. The measure, which would have required voters to present a photo ID, ultimately failed in a bitter Senate stalemate.

Democratic Sen. Mario Gallegos of Houston, who became a central player during the last legislative debate, called voter identification requirements "legal discrimination."

Sonia

[sonias]

2. Capitol Annex weighs in - Axis of IDiocy P/R

Capitol Annex blog 4/28/08
Axis Of IDiocy: Authors And Sponsors Of Texas Voter ID Legislation Hail Supreme Court’s Decision In Crawford Case

It should surprise no one that the Texas House’s own Axis of IDiocy–Reps. Betty Brown (R-Terrell), Leo Berman (R-Tyler), Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) and Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) are praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Crawford case, upholding Indiana’s voter ID law.

From the Axis of IDiocy’s joint press release:

State Representatives Betty Brown, Leo Berman, Dwayne Bohac and Debbie Riddle said today that they were pleased with the court’s decision and hoped that it would bolster support for similar legislation which passed the Texas House but failed in the Senate.

“We would again like to reaffirm our support for legislation that passed through the Texas House of Representatives that would have strengthened voter confidence and helped guarantee the integrity of Texas’ electoral process.

“Today’s 6-3 decision by the court shows that the policies proposed in House Bill 218 and similar legislation are consistent with the US Constitution and represent our intent to strengthen and protect our election system for all voters. It is our hope that in the 2009 session the Texas Senate will be able to follow suit and join with the House to pass this important and needed law.”

"Axis of IDiocy" :rofl:
Good one Vince!

Sonia

[PDittie]

3. Distribute the facts

Republican Claim: Voter Fraud is an "Epidemic" in Texas

FACT CHECK: Even fiercely partisan Republican Attorney General Abbott has admitted that after spending millions of Texas and federal taxpayer dollars investigating, "there have been few prosecutions in Texas." The Austin American Statesman editorialized: "Voter fraud is not an issue because Texas is not being flooded with unregistered voters and illegal immigrants flocking to the polls. That just isn't happening." (Source: Austin American-Statesman, April 26, 2007)

Republican Claim: Non-citizens voting is a major problem throughout the U.S.

FACT CHECK: The Department of Justice’s Ballot Access and Voting Integrity Initiative has resulted in just 14 convictions of non-citizens voting in the entire United States between 2002 and 2005. That is less then 5 noncitizens voting a year. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section, Election Fraud Prosecutions & Convictions, Ballot Access & Voting Integrity Initiative, October 2002 – September 2005; The Politics of Voter Fraud, Minnite, Ph.D. Columbia University)

Republican Claim: Everyone has an ID

FACT CHECK: Even the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute admitted that 37% of Texas residents over the age of 80 did not have a driver's license. (TCCRI Commentary, May 1, 2007)

Republican Claim: Democratic operatives are pushing the opposition to the Voter Suppression Bill

FACT CHECK: The objections to the voter ID legislation are broad and bipartisan. The bill is opposed by non-partisan groups like the AARP and League of Women Voters, as well as every major Texas newspaper and many local newspapers. (Source: Associated Press, April 23, 2007) Former Republican Party Political Director Royal Massett has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the bill saying: "Anyone who says all legal voters under this bill can vote doesn't know what he is talking about." (Source: The Houston Chronicle, April 26, 2007)

http://www.lonestarproject.net/archive/2007-11-30VoteSuppress.pdf