Posted on 05/03/2005 7:31:41 AM PDT by Dog Gone
AUSTIN - The Texas House in a highly partisan 83-63 vote Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require voters to present as many as three forms of identification before casting a ballot.
Republicans argued the legislation would reduce voter fraud in Texas, but Democrats said the bill is meant to deter minorities and elderly people from voting.
The bill's sponsor, Elections Chair Mary Denny, R-Aubrey, said it is not too much to ask people to prove their identity before voting to preserve the integrity of the election process.
"We have had stories and documentation of people showing up multiple times with voter registration cards and voting in multiple precincts," Denny said.
Rep. Rafael Anchia, R-Dallas, a committee member, said there was no testimony of voter fraud, just anecdotal stories.
"We did not hear one shred of evidence that there is voter fraud in this state," Anchia said. "If this was a court of law, this case would be thrown out for lack of evidence."
The bill would require voters to provide precinct workers with a voter registration card and a photo identification card or two other specified non-photo pieces of identification before voting. Anyone who could not meet all of these requirements could cast a provisional ballot.
"Would you change your amendment to have a purple, indelible ink stain on their finger so we know who has only voted once?" Otto said.
Rep. Beverly Woolley, R-Houston, said, "I don't think it's too much to ask people to prove who they are when they go to vote."
Rep. Garnett Coleman, D-Houston, noted that any voter who just showed up with a registration card would have to cast a provisional ballot. That voter, he said, would then have to appear at the county voter registrar's office with a proof of identification within five days to have the ballot counted.
"It's not about fraud. It's about voter suppression and intimidation," Coleman said.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said the measure is more about promoting a political agenda than eliminating voter fraud.
"This is the same bill that has been filed in several states around the country. It's all sponsored by the Republican Party," Thompson said.
In the House Elections Committee, Denny's bill was supported by the Republican Party of Texas and opposed by the Texas Democratic Party.
Denny said her bill is not as restrictive as some of the others because it is not limited to photo identification for proof.
Besides a driver's license or state identification card, the bill also would accept a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement or an official government document showing the name and address of the voter. Other forms of identification would include a passport, proof of citizenship, a military identification card and a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage license or divorce decree.
Denny said people cannot cash a check or board an airplane without some form of identification.
"You cannot get along in the world and not have an identification," Denny said.
...a glimmer of hope?
hehe! Whoops! :)
(When it rains at my house and doesn't rain in downtown Atlanta the weather is called racist.)
Had no idea. West TX was so racist. I've caught an inch of rain on one side of my place and zip on the other. damn racist rain.
My mother, age 82, quit driving and gave up her driver's license. She immediately went to the Secretary of State's office and got an official PICTURE ID card to replace it. I don't know of any states that don't have this provision.
And what, pray tell, is that?"
Jeez, you mean now the gummint is going to demand identification before they have me bend over and grab my ankles?
Ah. Not 'services' in the animal husbandry sense...
It seems Rep. Anchia isn't aware of which branch of government he is in. Rep. Anchia, you are in the LEGISLATURE. It is your responsibility to write laws, not try legal cases.
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