[TX] Voter ID bill heads to [Gov Rick] Perry's desk

Houston Chronicle ^ | May 16, 2011 | Gary Scharrer, Austin BUreau

[Cincinatus' Wife]

AUSTIN — A signature issue for Texas Republicans is headed to Gov. Rick Perry after the House voted Monday on a final photo ID bill that Republican supporters predicted would increase voter participation because of greater confidence in honest elections.

Democrats complained it would succeed in what it is designed to do: lower voter turnout among minorities.

The governor declared voter ID an emergency issue in early January. It's been a priority for Republicans for the past decade, though Democrats have always managed to foil the legislation.

The fight now will likely move to the courts to keep Texas from implementing what could be the strictest voter ID bill in the country.

......The House voted for the final bill, 98-46, with all but two Democrats (Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso and Rep. Craig Eiland of Corpus Christi) voting against it.

No GOP legislator voted against the measure.

"This is bad for Texans, particularly for minorities," [Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth] Veasey said. "It's clear that instead of seeking ways to make it easier for people to vote, they are trying to look for ways to stop people from voting - particularly African-Americans and, I think, now even more than in the past, it is clearly aimed at the Hispanic community."

A legal fight is certain, he said.

Harless said she is confident the bill will stand up to all legal challenges and noted the issue provokes more debate within the Legislature than in the public, where polls show overwhelming support for a voter photo ID plan.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"It's clear that instead of seeking ways to make it easier for people to vote, they are trying to look for ways to stop people from voting - particularly African-Americans and, I think, now even more than in the past, it is clearly aimed at the Hispanic community."

Other states are passing voter ID laws too. How the Left can say with a straight face that it is being done by the GOP to stop people from voting is beyond my comprehension (unless of course he means stopping non-citizens from voting -- or voting multiple times -- or voting using someone else's identity).

[Puckster]

Election day, for Democrats, is “The Night of the Living Dead”.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

“increase voter participation because of greater confidence in honest elections”

That’s a really great point.

[Rome2000]

Nobody in the GOP has enough common sense to come back at the socialists that there opposition to Voter ID legislation is due to the fact that they support voter fraud, illegal aliens voting, and stealing elections, and that the next step is to pass legislation tripling the penalties and jail time for anyone engaged in those activities.

[SgtHooper]

“Democrats complained it would succeed in what it is designed to do: lower voter turnout among minorities.”

The Rats finally got one right. But it’s because they were not elligible to begin with.

[Daisyjane69]

Good grief.

Maybe it’s aimed at hispanic voters because they are merely walking over the border, from one country to another and then voting in our elections?

Geez, ya think?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

State GOP actions are speaking loud.

[RU88]

It's all rather disingenuous to me that someone will accept showing a driver's license to rent a home movie or a piece of equipment at Home Depot but throw a hissy fit at having to show one to vote. Just considering the fact that we now have close to 20 million illegal immigrants in this country, far and above a number that could shift any election, it would be almost unbelievable that we wouldn't be pursing this course of action if the desire was to have free, and fair, elections.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And everyone knows it.

[FreeMaine]

Open Letter to Gov. Paul LePage,

Paul, we need to do this too!

[scooby321]

if this were the law of all 50 states Democrats would be in trouble.

[Puckster]

“if this were the law of all 50 states Democrats would be in trouble.”

What Democrats?

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks for posting this. I heard about this on the news.

TX voter ID ping.

[Arrowhead1952]

"This is bad for Texans, particularly for minorities," [Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth] Veasey said. "It's clear that instead of seeking ways to make it easier for people to vote, they are trying to look for ways to stop people from voting - particularly African-Americans and, I think, now even more than in the past, it is clearly aimed at the Hispanic community."

No Rep. Veasey, it is to keep unqualified people from voting. This DUmmie pulled the race card twice in one sentence. I think they have maxed out that card's limit. Request rejected.

[Allegra]

Democrats complained it would succeed in what it is designed to do: lower voter turnout among minorities people who are not eligible to vote.

[Arrowhead1952]

We know the dims support voter fraud in every election. We had some snow birds actually admit they voted absentee in their home state and voted in Texas in Nov 2008.

BTW, every time I go to the PX and get near the medicine isle, I see your screen name on boxes. What's up with that? :~)

[HiJinx]

Ping!

[Maverick68]

winning issue for Conservatives...

[newzjunkey]

Veasey is clearly a weasel.

"It's clear that instead of seeking ways to make it easier for people to vote, they are trying to look for ways to stop people from voting...

That is true. We want to stop people from voting who are NOT the people legally registered TO vote! You support voter fraud, Mr. Veasey!

[Maverick68]

BTW, I do believe that white Americans on both sides of the political aisle are getting SICK AND FREAKING TIRED of the race card.....this November may be the revenge of the Angry White Male.....

[zeugma]

Since I rarely have anything good to say of any of our legislooters, I feel compelled to give an 'attaboy' to our reps in Texas for finally doing something right.

Now they can work on Vermont/Arizona/Alaska style carry.

[Ron H.]

.... Democrats complained it would succeed in what it is designed to do: lower voter turnout among minorities. ....

Uh huh! Illegal aliens by the nature of their illegal presence in this country are and should be considered minorities, as in the minority of the legal population entitled to legally vote and be present or to live in my country. If you're here in the U.S. of A. illegally I want you to be very afraid and nervous and to be constantly watching over your shoulder every minute of every day fearing arrest and deportation.

[LUV W]

Awesome news!!

[LUV W]

Exactly! How many black or other people do you know that don’t have a drivers license nowadays!

[TLI]

Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth

Totally surprised I was. Yeah, that's it, surprised.

.

[Arrowhead1952]

Yes it is awesome news. Now, get that “say no to sanctuary cities” passed and signed as well.

[LUV W]

Yep....git ‘er done!!