Texas Senate OKs voter ID bill in 19-12 vote

[peejay 327]

Texas Senate OKs voter ID bill in 19-12 vote

By JIM VERTUNO

2011 The Associated Press

May 9, 2011, 4:30PM

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate gave its final approval Monday to legislation requiring Texas voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot.

Monday's 19-12 vote moved the bill a big step closer to becoming law. Gov. Rick Perry has declared the voter ID bill an "emergency" item for the session, and the bill now needs only a final House vote to be sent to his desk.

That would give Republicans a major victory in a bitter partisan debate that has raged for several years. The vote broke along party lines, with all Senate Republicans voting for the bill and all the Democrats against it.

Republicans say photo identification is needed as a safeguard to prevent voter fraud. Democrats say it will make it harder for poor and minority Texans to vote and is designed to boost Republicans margins in elections.

The Senate and House had already approved similar versions of the bill and spent the last month working out a compromise on minor provisions.

The bill requires voters to present valid state or federal photo IDs. A driver's license, personal ID car, military ID, passport or concealed handgun permit would be accepted.

The last change approved by the Senate on Monday allows the state to issue free IDs to be used specifically for voting if someone does not have another acceptable form of identification.

Voters without ID could cast provisional ballots but would have to show identification within six days to have their votes counted.

At least eight states have strict photo ID requirements, according to a late 2010 study by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Texas bill is modeled after similar laws in Georgia and Indiana.

Texas lawmakers have been fighting over the issue for several years.

Republicans rammed a voter ID bill through the Senate in 2009, but it stalled in the House in the final weeks of the session. Senate Republicans again pushed the bill through that chamber back in January.

Outnumbered 19-12 in the Senate and 101-49 in the House, Democrats knew they were likely to lose the fight this year.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, leader of the Senate Democrats, has predicted the U.S. Justice Department will block implementation of the bill under provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

But Republicans have said the U.S. Supreme Court has already blessed the kind of legislation proposed for Texas and predict it will survive any legal challenges.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7557116.html

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I'm not understanding why the Democrats are having a problem with this, and better yet how they think they can take this to a court...they have no leg to stand on imo. I mean what kind of imbecile wouldn't want to take all and every precaution to cut down on voter fraud ?

It seems like the Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

[peejay 327]

I'm not understanding why the Democrats are having a problem with this, and better yet how they think they can take this to a court...they have no leg to stand on imo. I mean what kind of imbecile wouldn't want to take all and every precaution to cut down on voter fraud ?

It seems like the Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

I'm an independent that leans toward Republican because conservative Democrats are few and far between in general and nonexistant in my district.

From what I observe, Dems will take any vote into their "Big Tent" no matter how sleazy. They are vote whores. Really...who in 21st century America doesn't have valid ID or can't get it if they are legit? And "legit" is the key word here.

"Vote early and vote often". Easy to do when voting without ID. No wonder the Dems don't want voter ID.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I'm not understanding why the Democrats are having a problem with this, and better yet how they think they can take this to a court...they have no leg to stand on imo. I mean what kind of imbecile wouldn't want to take all and every precaution to cut down on voter fraud ?

It seems like the Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

because Dems only know how to cheat to win.

They never win on policy. They win on activism and cheating.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The record is clear: Here in sunny FL, people like to take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines on election day. We also know that early voting tilts towards Democrats. So what does the GOP legislature do? Limit early voting. Why you ask? Well, if you have to ask, you haven't paid attention. The GOP is out accusing the Democrats of registering too many voters. They don't complain, however, when GOP registration drives take registration forms that indicate that the voter wishes to register as a Democrat and simply shred them. Those that sit there claiming that the legislation making it through state legislative bodies is to protect the integrity of the election process would do well to produce the evidence that backs up the claim that we have a problem with people ineligible to cast votes casting votes that turn the outcome of elections. Let's see it.

[peejay 327]

The record is clear: Here in sunny FL, people like to take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines on election day. We also know that early voting tilts towards Democrats. So what does the GOP legislature do? Limit early voting. Why you ask? Well, if you have to ask, you haven't paid attention. The GOP is out accusing the Democrats of registering too many voters. They don't complain, however, when GOP registration drives take registration forms that indicate that the voter wishes to register as a Democrat and simply shred them. Those that sit there claiming that the legislation making it through state legislative bodies is to protect the integrity of the election process would do well to produce the evidence that backs up the claim that we have a problem with people ineligible to cast votes casting votes that turn the outcome of elections. Let's see it.

Where is your widespread proof that Republicans regularly shred voter registation cards of Democrats.

In TX you don't "register" for any party. You only register to vote. In the primaries the voter must chose which party's primary ballot they wish to choose. In the general election they can vote for whoever they wish in any party.

Edited May 10, 2011 by peejay

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Are they no longer going to do mail in ballots?

[The Dude 206]

because Dems only know how to cheat to win.

They never win on policy. They win on activism and cheating.

Stay in school kids, drugs are bad mkay.

[HappyInHawaii 6]

because Dems only know how to cheat to win.

They never win on policy. They win on activism and cheating.

That is an way over the top "overgeneralization" if I have ever heard one.

If I could give you Negative points I would. Shame

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Where is your widespread proof that Republicans regularly shred voter registation cards of Democrats.

I'm not the one attacking voter registration drives. The GOP is.