Posted 1:57 am Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Republicans, Democrats Begin Debate Over Voter ID
From Staff, Wire Reports
Over vociferous Democratic objections, the Republican-controlled Senate began debating election reforms Tuesday that would require Texans to provide identification papers before voting.
Democrats, comparing the proposal to a modern-day poll tax, tried in vain to delay consideration of the legislation. Republicans say the ID requirements, which would take effect in time for the pivotal 2010 elections, are necessary to stop voter fraud.
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, said despite the mood in Austin, polls have shown the sentiment among Republicans and Democrats in the public is similar regarding voter identification.
"Who is going to stand up and allow a potentially fraudulent system continue when protecting the vote is fundamental to democracy?" Nichols asked. The Democrats "have decided to drawn a line in the sand on voter identification."
Nichols said voting is a small responsibility and that requiring voter identification will not represent a significant hurdle to potential voters.
Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, said the legislation is not as strong as legislation in other states and will not dissuade voters from entering the booth. He said the bill allows different forms of identification, from utility bills to library cards to be used and does not represent the "draconian voter ID legislation that some states have passed."
"I think at the end of the day, this bill will pass and aside from all the rhetoric from the proponents and opponents of the legislation it is a small step in trying to make our voting process better," he said.
The author of the proposal, Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, conjured up images of the old Daley machine in Chicago and of infamous Box 13 -- stuffed with votes for Lyndon Johnson in a 1948 Senate race. He says the threat is still there -- from non-citizen immigrants, crooks and dead people.
"Voter fraud not only is alive and well in the United States, it's also alive in Texas," Fraser said. "I believe the dangers of voter fraud has threatened the entire electoral process."
Democrats contend the so-called Voter ID bill will disenfranchise thousands of voters by erecting paperwork hurdles that will disproportionately impact minorities, the poor, the disabled and the elderly.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, leader of the Senate Democrats, said the measure is designed to shave about 3 to 4 percentage points off of Democratic vote totals in Texas just as the party begins to improve its statewide performance.
"This is voter suppression," she said.
While Texans already must show either a voter registration card or other identification, Republicans want to add the requirement of a photo ID or alternative forms of identification, such as utility bills or bank statements.
Both sides expected to put on a series of expert witnesses. Republicans planned to call election officials from Georgia and Indiana, two of the seven states that -- according to the National Conference of State Legislatures -- require voters to produce a photo ID.
Witnesses testifying for the Democrats included civil rights experts and representatives of the NAACP and AARP.
Though final Senate passage -- probably early next week -- is all but a foregone conclusion, its fate in the Texas House is less certain. The legislation also faces lawsuits and a potentially dicey future in President Barack Obama's U.S. Justice Department, which has to sign off on major election changes in Texas and several other southern states.
Over vociferous Democratic objections, the Republican-controlled Senate began debating election reforms Tuesday that would require Texans to provide identification papers before voting.
Democrats, comparing the proposal to a modern-day poll tax, tried in vain to delay consideration of the legislation. Republicans say the ID requirements, which would take effect in time for the pivotal 2010 elections, are necessary to stop voter fraud.
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, said despite the mood in Austin, polls have shown the sentiment among Republicans and Democrats in the public is similar regarding voter identification.
"Who is going to stand up and allow a potentially fraudulent system continue when protecting the vote is fundamental to democracy?" Nichols asked. The Democrats "have decided to drawn a line in the sand on voter identification."
Nichols said voting is a small responsibility and that requiring voter identification will not represent a significant hurdle to potential voters.
Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, said the legislation is not as strong as legislation in other states and will not dissuade voters from entering the booth. He said the bill allows different forms of identification, from utility bills to library cards to be used and does not represent the "draconian voter ID legislation that some states have passed."
"I think at the end of the day, this bill will pass and aside from all the rhetoric from the proponents and opponents of the legislation it is a small step in trying to make our voting process better," he said.
The author of the proposal, Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, conjured up images of the old Daley machine in Chicago and of infamous Box 13 -- stuffed with votes for Lyndon Johnson in a 1948 Senate race. He says the threat is still there -- from non-citizen immigrants, crooks and dead people.
"Voter fraud not only is alive and well in the United States, it's also alive in Texas," Fraser said. "I believe the dangers of voter fraud has threatened the entire electoral process."
Democrats contend the so-called Voter ID bill will disenfranchise thousands of voters by erecting paperwork hurdles that will disproportionately impact minorities, the poor, the disabled and the elderly.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, leader of the Senate Democrats, said the measure is designed to shave about 3 to 4 percentage points off of Democratic vote totals in Texas just as the party begins to improve its statewide performance.
"This is voter suppression," she said.
While Texans already must show either a voter registration card or other identification, Republicans want to add the requirement of a photo ID or alternative forms of identification, such as utility bills or bank statements.
Both sides expected to put on a series of expert witnesses. Republicans planned to call election officials from Georgia and Indiana, two of the seven states that -- according to the National Conference of State Legislatures -- require voters to produce a photo ID.
Witnesses testifying for the Democrats included civil rights experts and representatives of the NAACP and AARP.
Though final Senate passage -- probably early next week -- is all but a foregone conclusion, its fate in the Texas House is less certain. The legislation also faces lawsuits and a potentially dicey future in President Barack Obama's U.S. Justice Department, which has to sign off on major election changes in Texas and several other southern states.
