Thread: TX-Impassioned Testimony Over Voter ID

Impassioned testimony over voter ID

By Jay Root
Associated Press
Published: Monday, April 6, 2009 4:25 PM CDT

AUSTIN — Efforts to create new ID requirements for Texas voters sparked impassioned debate Monday in the Legislature, where Democrats and Republicans are squabbling over the proposals as the crucial 2010 elections approach.

Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, conjured up the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, saying the proposals for tighter ID measures are the modern equivalent of the Jim Crow laws that were used to suppress minority turnout for decades.

"This is a racial issue, make no mistake about," said Veasey, who is black. "Can you really sleep with yourself at night knowing that if this bill is passed, that most of the people that would be denied the right to vote are going to be black, brown and poor?"

Veasey made his comments during a public hearing on the proposal in the House Elections Committee. The panel is taking a crack at the legislation that passed on a strict party-line vote in the state Senate last month.

The bill would require Texas voters to present a photo ID or two non-photo ID alternatives — such as a marriage license and a utility bill — before being allowed to cast a regular ballot.

The chairman of the Elections Committee, Republican Todd Smith of Bedford, predicted the debate would go until midnight. A second public hearing, which begins Tuesday, could drag on even later.

Republicans — who control both houses of the Legislature and all statewide elective offices — say new rules are needed to protect against voter fraud. Democrats complain that the GOP wants to suppress Democratic turnout by erecting hurdles that disproportionately affects their base vote.

The Senate version of the bill would take effect ahead of the 2010 statewide and legislative elections, after which state lawmakers will redraw the boundaries for their own districts and those for Texas members of the U.S. Congress.

Smith has said he wants to slowly phase in the changes, giving Texas time to educate and register voters.

"What we're looking for here tonight from the experts who have been asked to testify are for ideas on how we might enhance the security of our elections while simultaneously expanding access to the polls," Smith said.

A year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Indiana's strict voter ID law, and there are several voter ID bills pending in other state legislatures holding sessions this year.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, testifying at the request of Republicans before the House committee Monday, said turnout increased in his state after the strict photo ID law was passed. He said the ID measures build confidence in the integrity of the election process.

"If people stop believing in the process, voter turnout goes down," Rokita said. "When voter turnout goes down, we lose the republic."

http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2009/ ... 200214.txt

If we want illegals to stay away from the voting centers, all we have to do it tell them that they will be required to pay taxes.........starting the day they come in to register their vote.

Originally Posted by ELE

If we want illegals to stay away from the voting centers, all we have to do it tell them that they will be required to pay taxes.........starting the day they come in to register their vote.

That's a good one Also, we could tell them that they would be put on the jury duty roster. Could you imagine an entire jury on non English speaking illegals? I would feel sorry for that person!

This has nothing to do with rasicm!
Why is that the first line of defense when people have more sane ideas?

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

This has nothing to do with rasicm!
Why is that the first line of defense when people have more sane ideas?

veacey is black, thats why

Originally Posted by jamesw62

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

This has nothing to do with rasicm!
Why is that the first line of defense when people have more sane ideas?

veacey is black, thats why

I should have figured. They don't realize that many Blacks are racist.