Policy Project

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Texas Voter ID Law (SB 14)

Legal Foundation

Shelby County v. Holder (2013) - Rules section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional

Voting Rights Act of 1965 - prevents many state and local governments from enacting new voter ID requirements.

24th Amendment - Prohibits a Poll Tax

Goals and Impacts

Discourage Voter Fraud

Supports the idea of "One Person, One vote"

Inconclusive, as of now

Was voter fraud ever really a problem?

The New Voter ID law does nothing to adress mail in ballot fraud

In an essay written on USA today, Greg Abott claimed that his offce has convicted 52 cases of voter fraud since 2002

2013 Elections

Problems

Longer poll lines

Women who had changed their names where forced to sign afidavites to vote. i.e. Wendy Davis

Voter Turnout Increased, relative to other years

The increased voter turnout was still relatively miniscule - from %8.13 to %8.51 of registered voters.

Texas still lurks in last on voter turnout

State officials say that 1,144,844 ballots where cast in 2013, as opposed to 690,052 in 2011 and 1,058,986 in 2009

Possible "selective" voter turnout supression

The Justice Department had previously rejected the Texas law, on the grounds that about 600,000 registered voters there lack a state-issued driver's license or identification card.

Anyone that may not have access to the documents they need in order to get valid identification, including their birth certificate

Anyone with discrepencies between married and maiden name

Isolates and restricts the voter turnout of those who are unable to acquire a voter ID.

Provisions

Increases penalty for voting illegaly

Attempted illegal voting- State jail felony

Voting illegaly - second degree felony

Requires a photo ID to be eligible to vote

Identification must be presented at polls (unless ballot by mail)

Allows exception for Provisional Ballot

Voter will be required to visit the voter registrar’s office within six calendar days of the date of the election.

Must present an affidavit of religious objection or natural disaster.

Must present one of the forms of photo ID

Allowed for people with 50% disability or higher

7 acceptable forms of photo ID

Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph

United States passport

United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS

Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS (Free)

Interest Groups

Oppose

Libertarians

U.S. Department of Justice

Students

Student's attending out of state

People who aren't middle aged white males above the poverty line

Poor/Homeless

Senior Citizens

AARP

Women

Married/Divorced who have changed their name

Hispanic and Minority Groups

Mexican American Legislative Caucus

NAACP

More Democrat/Liberal

Wendy Davis

Marc Veasey

Support

More Republican/Conservative

Gov. Rick Perry

Rep. Harless

Rep. Patricia Harless

Greg Abbott