Texas to test 1965 voting rights law in court (Voter ID)

markomalley · #1 Jul 8, '12, 7:31 pm

From Reuters:

The Voting Rights Act - a cherished safeguard for minority voters since 1965 - has been under siege for two years and this week faces one of its toughest tests on an apparent path to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Twenty-five hours of argument, starting on Monday and spread over five days, will help the judges of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia decide whether Texas can require voters to present a photo identification at the polls.

(snip)

In March, the Obama administration blocked a Texas law passed in 2011 requiring voters to present photo identification at the polls, saying it was unfair to minority voters. Texas sued the U.S. government, saying its measures were fair and the Justice Department had political motives in going after the law.

Talk about biased reporting. Geez.

The real story is that Texas wants to have a voter ID law. But the Obama Administration is able to block the law because Texas was specifically targeted (along with other southern states) by the Voting Rights Act...where it must specifically have FEDGOV preclearance for all its voting laws. Holder, et al, decided that Voter ID would be discriminatory. Texas is taking them to court...per the 1965 civil rights act.

Tallguy88 · #2 Jul 8, '12, 9:30 pm

I just don't see how anyone can claim that presenting an ID to vote is discriminatory! If you don't have a driver's license, most states issue an official ID. I had one before I was sixteen because I wanted one, it made me feel grown up! I believe that they're free in my state, so you can't say it discriminates against the poor either.

It's just that voting is so important, why wouldn't you take common sense steps like this to ensure it's fair for everybody?

Keith_W_OR_USA · #3 Jul 8, '12, 9:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallguy88

I just don't see how anyone can claim that presenting an ID to vote is discriminatory! If you don't have a driver's license, most states issue an official ID. I had one before I was sixteen because I wanted one, it made me feel grown up! I believe that they're free in my state, so you can't say it discriminates against the poor either.

It's just that voting is so important, why wouldn't you take common sense steps like this to ensure it's fair for everybody?

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

St Francis · #4 Jul 8, '12, 10:01 pm

I have no problem with requiring an id to vote. Gee, don't they have autmatic voter registration at the DMV, where people get ids?

What bothers me is that I sign in, and then get a numbered ballot.

Nine_Two · #5 Jul 8, '12, 10:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Are you suggesting that your Constitution contain all the rules and regulations pursuant to voting?
Do you know what a constitution is?

And yes, you do need papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship. The press may be free to print what it wants, and people are free to worship what they want, but that doesn't mean they can do it without paperwork.

_Abyssinia · #6 Jul 9, '12, 12:45 am

Obama admin does not honour the fact that America is a federalist country. They keep interfering into state laws, whether it is abortion, immigration or voting.

Crawford v. Marion County Election Board saw the Supreme Court declaring that it is constitutional for voter ID in Indiana. I doubt they would make a different conclusion for Texas ID if it goes to Supreme court

Judge Murphy

Quote:

'despite apocalyptic assertions of wholesale voter disenfranchisement, Plaintiffs have produced not a single piece of evidence of any identifiable registered voter who would be prevented from voting pursuant to [the photo ID law] because of his or her inability to obtain the necessary photo identification. Similarly, Plaintiffs have failed to produce any evidence of any individual, registered or unregistered, who would have to obtain photo identification in order to vote, let alone anyone who would undergo any appreciable hardship to obtain photo identification in order to be qualified to vote'

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8...20vote&f=false

**Holly3278** · #7 Jul 9, '12, 2:24 am

Personally I see absolutely nothing wrong with requiring voters to present a photo ID before voting. I really don't understand why so many people are against it.

jediliz · #8 Jul 9, '12, 5:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Personally I see absolutely nothing wrong with requiring voters to present a photo ID before voting. I really don't understand why so many people are against it.

Because it cuts down on voter fraud??

Tallguy88 · #9 Jul 9, '12, 5:59 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Since most matters of governance in the constitution deal with the organization of the Federal Government and interstate issues, this would seem to fall under the 10th Amendment:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

In Texas, the state wants to prevent voter fraud, not disenfranchise certain classes of voters. Therefore the Federal Government has no right to interfere.

stevegravy · #10 Jul 9, '12, 6:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

May be not but you will need a half dozen different licenses and permits and paid up front before opening. And I’ll bet you will present a photo ID trying to write checks for those licenses and permits.

Scott_Lafrance · #11 Jul 9, '12, 8:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Show me in the Constitution where it says that states cannot make regulations on voting.

In fact, the Constitution quite specifically says:

"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators."

So.......states can require ID if they want. Its right there in the Constitution.

SamH · #12 Jul 9, '12, 9:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Try publishing a newspaper without permits and see how far you get - the same with opening a house of worship.

The Constitution leaves the determination of voting qualifications to the
individual states.

benjammin · #13 Jul 9, '12, 9:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamH

Try publishing a newspaper without permits and see how far you get - the same with opening a house of worship.

The Constitution leaves the determination of voting qualifications to the
individual states.

So not to cause a fight, but can a state still technically prevent a group of people from voting. Don't get me wrong, I think a voter I.D is a good idea, but what about people who aren't informed about it. I have an autistic brother who can't drive and was unaware he needed an I.D. Card, so i see that being a problem. I know people will say it's his fault, but he's got mental illness for crying out loud. Also, I thought most conservatives would be against i.d cards? isn't that supporting big government and keeping track of people, or is it okay for states to have big governments?

He Man · #14 Jul 9, '12, 9:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Show me in the constitution where it says the government has to provide forced access to healthcare? Show me where it says he can amend laws on immigration as a basis for non-enforcement?

The President doesn't really care what is in the Constitution, and as such, your opinion of it is now moot. Welcome to America, 2012.

Besides, why the US Constitution have any provisions regarding Texas Voting policies? It is a state issue being voted on.

This is like asking "show me in the Constitutution where it says I need an idea to pick up my movie tickets at the will-call window!"

Dawnia · #15 Jul 9, '12, 9:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_W_OR_USA

Show me in the constitution where it says I must present 'papers' to vote? I don't need to present papers to publish a newspaper or open a place of worship.

Show me in the Constitution that says they have to let you vote if you don't prove you're a citizen and eligible to vote?