Thread: TX: Partisan fight looms over Voter ID bill

Partisan fight looms over Voter ID bill
By Jay Root / Associated Press
Posted: 02/28/2009 12:00:00 AM MST


AUSTIN -- The Texas Senate is gearing up for battle over a plan to tighten ID requirements for voters.

Republicans say Voter ID -- as the legislation is known at the Capitol -- is crucial to stop ballot fraud. Democrats complain that it's intended to erect hurdles to keep their base voters, such as minorities, away from the polls.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, has alerted senators he plans to bring up the bill before a special committee that includes all senators March 10. That could make Voter ID legislation the first substantive, non-emergency bill to hit the Senate floor during the 2009 session.

If it became law, voters would have to present a valid photo ID or alternative identification papers.

Officials say the Senate, where Republicans hold a 19-12 majority, could pass the legislation as soon as March 16. Its fate in the House, where Democrats have more power, isn't clear yet.

Democrats say the legislation is designed to bolster GOP strength at the voting booth. They contend it would discourage minorities, the elderly and other voters who lean Democratic from showing up at the polls.

"They are so scared that if they don't get this done that Democrats can pick up seats in the House next go-round, that a Democrat could be very viable statewide," said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, the chamber's Democratic leader and a possible 2010 candidate for governor.

"They are so desperate to get this done."

Fraser, sponsor of the legislation, said the bill would enhance the integrity of the voting process and ensure that noncitizens, who aren't eligible to vote, don't sway elections.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/politics/ci_11804842

The Democrats may have "more power" in the House but not a majority.

The Democrats are fighting this because they stand to loose the most on election day.

Dixie

Democrats complain that it's intended to erect hurdles to keep their base voters, such as minorities, away from the polls.

Same old excuse, yet nobody has ever proven this to be the case. What is the dems are trying to say? ....everybody, except minorities have photo IDs?? THey don't drive?? THey don't cash checks? They don't show ID's for adult beverage purchases? THey don't EVER have to prove who they are??? Good grief, it's beyond comprehension.

All the minorities and illegals that had to show "ID" for the fraudulent mortgages didn't have trouble showing an "ID." I mean this is just a joke that we even have to have this discussion. It just shows that the Dems have to win elections with loads of fraud, i.e., ACORN etc. Every State should require an ID.

The Democrats only excuse left is that there has never been a case of "voter fraud" prosecuted. They have abandoned all the other lame excuses that didn't hold water because they were not truthful, like "grandma can't get an ID and will be disenfranchised". Yea, but she can get her Social Security check cashed... I know, laughable excuses.

Anyway, they have fallen back to no cases of "voter fraud". Well that has a giant hole too. The real voter has to show up, that is if they are even still alive or living in the area, to vote and discover that someone has voted in their place and then the voter has to complain and prosecute. Well, that just doesn't happen because when the real voter shows up and challenges the election officials, they just let them vote and they write it off as a mistake.

One thing for sure, since the Democrats are hiding behind it, they are not in the slightest bit concerned about preventing voter fraud, otherwise they would not take issue with requiring voters to show IDs at the polling place.

Dixie