Voter ID battle heats up in Texas

Houston Chronicle:

One of the most politically divisive fights the Legislature will confront this year gets its first full-fledged airing today as state senators have it out over whether voters should be required to show photo identification or other documentation every time they cast a ballot.

On one side are Republicans who contend the change would protect the integrity of Texas elections and abate any possibility of voter impersonation and fraud. Democrats proffer a different view: The move is nothing more than an attempt to suppress votes by minorities, the elderly and disabled.

Texas Democratic senators successfully blocked a voter photo identification bill in 2007. This year, Republicans made it a priority; it’s among the first bills they’ve decided to debate.

Seven states already have laws requiring voter photo identification, though none have experienced widespread voter disenfranchisement or exposed significant voter fraud.

“This is about Republicans scaring off just enough eligible elderly, disabled, blacks and Hispanics to stay in power four more years, plain and simple,” said Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, of the Republican proposal.

Republican Caucus Chairman Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, said the bill is simply about ending voter fraud.

“We know voter impersonation is taking place. It’s been well documented. It’s going to come out in the hearings,” he said.

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I don't buy the Democrat argument. When I go in to vote I carry my voter registration card in the same wallet I carry my drivers' license and other ID. If only Democrats don't have valid ID, their organizers can get them valid IDs when they are registering them. The only real reason to oppose this bill is to facilitate vote fraud.

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