Thread: Volatile voter ID debate to hit Texas Senate

Volatile voter ID debate to hit Texas Senate
By JAY ROOT / Associated Press Writer
Posted: 03/09/2009 02:07:37 PM MDT



AUSTIN, Texas -- With neither side willing to compromise, Democrats and Republicans will slug it out this week over GOP legislation designed to tighten ID requirements for voters.

The debate starts in the Senate Chamber on Tuesday morning, when experts will say that it's either a great or horrible idea, depending on which side they're testifying for. The dynamics are similar to redistricting battles because the debate is expected to produce a party-line vote, and all the bitterness that goes with it.

Even the most minute details of the debate -- who will testify as experts, how long they can speak, when to let average citizens speak out on it -- were sparking tensions Monday as officials prepared for the showdown.

While Texans already must show either a voter registration card or other identification, Republicans want to add the requirement of a photo or alternative forms of ID such as utility bills or banks statements.

In the Senate debate, Democrats will cite studies showing eligible citizens will be turned away. GOP lawmakers, meanwhile, will say evidence shows that states that have adopted voter ID laws, including Indiana and Georgia, saw big increases in voting afterward.

"We believe the facts bear out very clearly that, rather than suppress it, it increases voter confidence," said Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, sponsor of the bill. "It increases voter confidence. They know that their ballot is going to be counted correctly rather than someone who voted illegally."

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said the partisan drama over the legislation underscores its importance.

"We're talking about the sanctity of the ballot box here," he said.

Watson said Democrats would show through expert testimony that the legislation will make it more difficult for some people -- including elderly and minority Texans -- to come up with the identification required.

"This is meant to make it harder to vote," Watson said.

Supporters of the legislation say it's needed to protect against organized voter fraud and to prevent non-citizens from unlawfully casting ballots.

The debate has already sparked a round of partisan fighting. Earlier this year, Republicans weakened filibuster rules to break a logjam on the legislation. It allowed the voter ID bill to be brought up and passed by a simple majority rather than require a supermajority to introduce it onto the floor.

Democrats acknowledge there's not much they can do to stop it in the Senate, where the GOP has a 19-12 majority. They're that their Democratic counterparts in the House, where Republicans have a narrow 76-74 majority, can block it. At least two GOP House members have opposed the legislation in the past.

Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan and South Dakota require a photo ID , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_11872317

At least two GOP House members have opposed the legislation in the past.

Well they damn sure better not this time.

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

At least two GOP House members have opposed the legislation in the past.

Well they damn sure better not this time.

Dixie

Well a democart is the same thing as a republican so I really don't expect much.

jshhmr, Republicans are not the same as Democrats as was demonstrated in the way in which almost ALL of Democrats voted for the Stimulus bill and all but three Republicans voted for it.

Also, the majority of Republicans don't support illegal immigration policies and Democrats do support them. Take a look at Senate.org and look up almost any legislation that is pro-illegal and the Democrats largely vote for it and the Republicans vote pro-American.

Please don't bring up the Bush adminsration because in the last two years of his administration the Democrats ruled and our country went down hill. Bush and the Democrats were both to blame for the dmise of our country NOT Bush and the Republicans.

Personally,I was not a party person, now I will vote Republican unless the Republican supports Amnesty and pro- illegals legislation.