Thread: TX-Bill requiring ID at polls 'won't survive,' its author sa

PLEASE, EVERYONE IN TEXAS, PHONE AND FAX YOUR DEMOCRATIC HOUSE REPS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE "YES"!!!!

Bill requiring ID at polls 'won't survive,' its author says

By Brandi Grissom
Austin Bureau
Posted: 05/12/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT

AUSTIN -- The author of a bill that would require voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot said the measure could be doomed.

"This may be an issue which will not survive at the end of the day," said state Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, chairman of the House Elections Committee and author of the voter ID bill.

The Elections Committee on Monday approved the same voter identification bill that the Texas Senate authorized earlier this year in a strictly partisan vote after a bitter debate. Smith said the Republican-supported bill would not garner enough votes in the House, which is divided almost evenly between the two parties -- 76 Republicans and 74 Democrats.

"I'm still hopeful that an overwhelming majority of my Republican colleagues É will recognize compromise is necessary," Smith said.

What identification documents voters should have to bring to the polls has been the most divisive issue of the legislative session so far.

Republicans say photo identification is necessary to prevent those who aren't legally qualified, particularly undocumented immigrants, from casting ballots.

Democrats counter that there is no problem with voter impersonation and that requiring photo ID would harm elderly, poor and minority voters.

Under the measure approved Monday, voters would be required to present photo identification such as a driver's license or passport. Voters without photo identification would have to show two other identifying documents.

People without the required ID would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot and return later with the needed verification.

Smith had worked for weeks for a compromise that would have phased in the new identification requirements and dedicated millions of dollars to efforts to increase voter registration.

"What I'm trying do is act in a way that satisfies their concerns but also does not blow up this body," Smith said.

But Republicans, the majority on the Elections Committee, said Smith's compromise was too lenient. To get the committee's approval, Smith had to revert to the Senate version.

Smith said he plans to offer amendments to the bill when it comes before the full Texas House, likely next week, to make the measure more acceptable to Democrats.

If other Republicans were unwilling to agree to those compromises, Smith said, the bill would likely fail.

"We've got a choice to make," Smith said. "Do we want to pass a bill, or do we want make a statement?"

State Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, said she and other Democrats would do everything possible to stop the measure from passing.

Chávez said requiring photo identification would particularly affect elderly voters who do not have photo ID.

"Voter ID is intended to suppress voter participation and intended against Hispanic voters," she said.

Chávez said she and other Democrats on the House Calendars Committee would use parliamentary maneuvers to try to prevent the bill from coming to the House floor for a vote.

"All is fair in love and war," Chávez said.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/politics/ci_12346935

District: 76

Austin Phone: (512) 463-0622
El Paso, TX Phone: (915) 778-9960

================================

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees ... eCode=C050

Clerk: Juan Garcia
Legislature: 81(R) - 2009 Phone: (512) 463-0758
Appointment Date: 2/12/2009 Room: EXT E2.148


Chair: Rep. Brian McCall
Vice Chair: Rep. Eddie Lucio III
Members: Rep. Norma Chavez
Rep. Garnet Coleman
Rep. Byron Cook
Rep. Brandon Creighton
Rep. Charlie Geren
Rep. Jim Keffer
Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst
Rep. Edmund Kuempel
Rep. Jim McReynolds
Rep. Allan Ritter
Rep. Burt R. Solomons

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