Texas GOP Pushing Hard For Voter ID Bill
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Republicans are making a hard push to require voters to show photo identification before casting their ballots.
Acting quickly on Gov. Rick Perry's emergency declaration for the bill, the Senate scheduled public testimony on the bill for Tuesday and a vote could come late in the day or on Wednesday.
Republicans are making stronger voter ID laws a top priority as a way to prevent fraud. Democrats say it's a partisan bill designed to boost GOP margins at the ballot box.
Democrats blocked a similar bill in 2009, but it is expected to pass this year with Republicans holding commanding majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, conceded Democrats can't fight Republican muscle on the bill this time.
"This is like a dance where we have another song, another round," Van de Putte said. "There is no doubt this bill will pass."
Democrats argue voter ID should not be given emergency status during a session when lawmakers are grappling with a budget shortfall estimated at $15 billion, and an early budget draft proposed deep cuts in education, health care and other state services.
"Why is this an emergency? Why are we spending time on this?" said Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.
The bill is a top priority for Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is widely expected to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012. He told state senators in a letter late last week he intended to vote on the bill this week.
The bill by Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, would require voters to present a valid form of state or federally-issued photo identification. A driver's license, personal identification card, military ID or passport would be accepted.
Voters who are at least 70 years old and have their voter registration card would be allowed to vote without a photo ID. The state would be required to waive the fee for a personal ID card if applicants say they need it to vote.
The bill also would not change the process for mail-in and absentee ballots.
Democrats complained the bill will make it more difficult for the poor, minorities and the elderly to vote. Fraser dismissed concerns that it places an unreasonable burden on voters.
"It's a very, very simple concept," Fraser said.
Democrats are expected to try to amend the bill to allow people to register to vote on election day and to make general elections and primaries state holidays.
The photo ID change would cost the state about $2 million, according to a Senate bill analysis, which Fraser said could be covered by federal money. That expense would pay for training for elections officials and public advertising to announce the change.
Dewhurst said that's a cost the state should be willing to pay.
"At the end of the day, there's nothing more important than protecting the sanctity of everyone's right to vote," Dewhurst said.
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