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.
Just require the same kinds of identification these folks need to receive basic government services. That'll be a start.
And what, pray tell, is that?
Good question. To be honest, I don't know. I'm one of those that the govt shakes down in order to provide the services to others.
Bump
Yeah, those that can't legally vote, a majority of whom vote democrat.
Good news BUMP
It's about DAMN Time.
GOOD.
Now kill that fraud-prone motor voter law.
I can just hear molly yard saying "I AM OUTRAGED!!"
Wild prediction here: if this passes, El Paso, 'the Valley' and Jefferson are "in play" in '06 and '08.
I have yet to understand how requiring ID to vote could be "voter suppression and intimidation".
Georgia has the same law now, just signed by Sonny Purdue. The black legislators went into crazed behavior in fighting the legislation. They even walked out of a session in unison because they called the law "racist". Purdue signed it anyway.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution/Gallup did a poll about it and lo and behold 80% of Georgians support showing id to vote.
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.Is the translation here that the DemoKrauts are saying that their voters are too stupid to vote?
Not to mention they're playing the race card here, huh?
Keep Florida 2000 election in mind.
In some states where the Democrats control things, like California, citizens can still put propositions on the ballot to bypass the legislature.
Wow! The 'RATS have all the BS talking points down pat:
- ..... Democrats said the bill is meant to deter minorities and elderly people from voting.
- "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.
Garnett knows about intimidation. Just ask his kid's principal.
Police hauled state Representative Garnet Coleman to jail last week on misdemeanor assault charges filed by a Montessori school principal. Just three days before that, a contact called The Insider to complain that the legislator was out of control. Coleman, explained the source, had put himself on the board of the Midtown Reinvestment Zone in July and was using his clout as an elected official to intimidate members.
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