Justice Department Blocks Texas Law Requiring Photo ID to Vote
- Posted on March 12, 2012 at 2:45pm by
Erica Ritz
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The Justice Department’s “Civil Rights Division” blocked a Texas law Monday that would require voters to have a valid photo ID. Though the measure aims to combat voter fraud, the Justice Department has determined that the law would disproportionately hinder minority voters, and therefore violates the Voting Rights Act.
Eric Holder and Thomas E. Perez (AP)
In a letter to the government, Thomas E. Perez, the assistant attorney general for human rights, wrote, “Even using the data most favorable to the state, Hispanics disproportionately lack either a driver’s license or a personal identification card…and that disparity is statistically significant.”
According to the New York Times:
Texas has roughly 12.8 million registered voters, of whom about 2.8 million are Hispanic. The state [supplied] two sets of data comparing its voter rolls to a list of people who had valid state-issued photo identification cards — one for September and the other in January — showing that Hispanic voters were 46.5 percent to 120 percent more likely to lack such identification.
Under the Voting Rights Act, certain jurisdictions that have a history of suppressing minority voting — like Texas — must show that any proposed change to voting rules would not have a disproportionate impact on minority voters, even if there is no evidence of discriminatory intent…
Voters in the state would be required to present one of seven types of government-issued photo identification, which includes a driver’s license, a passport or even a concealed handgun permit. Those lacking an ID could be given a provisional ballot, but would have to present an approved form of identification to the registrar’s office no later than six days after the election.
The state even offered to provide a free photo ID to legal voters, but the Justice Department said this was not enough, because there are other costs and bureaucratic inconveniences associated with that process.
Anticipating the Justice Department’s reaction, Texas officials have asked a panel of judges to allow them to enforce the law.
Rep. Lamar Smith, who is Texas’ chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, criticized the Justice Department, saying that “the people of Texas overwhelmingly [support]” the measure, and that “this is an abuse of executive authority and an affront to the citizens of Texas.”
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Comments (157)
Captain Crunch
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:00pmWe know what Holder and the Obama criminals are doing…not fooling anyone.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:28pmI have to go thru a criminal back round check and show I.D. to purchase a gun. Now is that not unfair for the law abiding citizen when exercising his or her 2nd amendment. Just consistency would be nice for once.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:50pmOMG, why can’t we just require that everyone goes out and gets a friggin photo id before they vote, just like when you buy insurance, or apply for a job, or buy a home, or rent a car, or open a bank account, or in most places use a credit card, or one million other things? WTFFFFF!!!!!
This is a state issue, a STATE issue you federal moron Hitler goose-steppers! Get off our backs, you have no right to interfere in a state issue!
Report Post »robinakilt
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:57pmTry cashing a $20 personal check at that person who wrote the checks bank and see what you have to do for that $20. Id and thumb print.
Report Post »Fantastic Four
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:03pmput the polling places inside all airports: Problem Solved
Report Post »lordjosh
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:03pmPut the Texas army at the borders and carry on.
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:05pmSo how do we stop individuals, who are not Americans, from voting?
This is ridiculous and dooming.
Surely a national security crisis.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:13pmThis is the only way they keep the election close….keep the door open as far as possible for fraud.
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:24pmHe‘s Obama’s consigliere. Not a very good one, from what I’ve seen, but enough run right out and be a good little legal storm trooper when need be. I expected this to unfold this way months ago. Rick Perry was too distracted with the election and now it’s like crickets chirping. Where the hell is he on this? He should be cussin’ out Eric Holder by now on national TV. This is how federal minions start wars. They infringe,ignore, and impede issues like this for federal benefit and cheating their way to victory. This is purely a state’s rights issue. Better get on it Gov. Perry, instead of dreaming about becoming Newt’s VP. Ain’t gonna happen. Get your *ss back to work!!!
Report Post »HKS
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:52pmNow how is a good liberal going to vote early and often if he has to make up all those ID’s. Cuts into the profits that Acorn pays. Is this a great country or what, the government is looking out for the small businessman.
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:34pmDear Texas,
I think you are racist; therefore, you are not entitled to your tenth amendment rights.
Sincerely,
Report Post »Eric Holder
dlloftin
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:07pmWhy not a FREE voter registration ID? Money is usually the factor in not getting a photo ID. If you‘re an American citizen you’re going to have a certificate of live birth that says you belong in this country. Whiners: “Why should tax payers have to pay for it”. We pay for other useless stuff all the time. This one would actually be useful
Report Post »Junter
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:37pmDepartment of Justice doesn’t want to stop voter fraud. What is wrong with this picture?!! DOJ needs a new administration pronto.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:21pmTell the commies to stick it where the sun don’t shine and to keep out of Texas business. If they want to prove it is wrong then Texas can go ahead and enforce it anyways let them fight to keep us from doing it. I’m beginning to think that Texas politicians are starting to act like their masters are controlling what they do. Just because these commies say “do this” or “don’t do that” doesn’t mean that we have to drop to our knees and beg them to let us to follow the Constitution! If these Texas woosies want to do that then us patriotic Texas Americans want to AND WILL chase them out so they can go live in New York or some liberal scroungy place like that where they belong!
Report Post »seldomscene
Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:07pmI’m pretty sure state voting rules are the purview of the states. How did big daddy gain authority over this?
Report Post »This is not rhetorical. Is this not in the constitution?
What’s next?
Oh, never mind, I think I see it.
rot_soldier
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:59pmSimply answer to this problem. Prove that Obama is not eligible to run for President and we won’t have to worry about people voting for him. Then again, my elected officials here in Texas do not represent their constituents very well because they don’t seem to have much of a spine. The people vote to stop the TSA at the airports, the Feds threaten a flight ban and Texas backs down. The people vote to require a form of ID and the Feds say you can’t do that, so they sit down and say ok. The people want better border control, but Perry, the spineless coward that he is get’s punked right on the tarmac of his own capital city airport. The governor of Texas is spineless along with the rest of them.
Report Post »Czynik
Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:57amAustin is a sanctuary city for illegal aliens and Perry has said nothing about that – he supports illegal alien laborers because he is owned by business men.
Report Post »smartgirl
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:59pmThe ONLY way Obama will be re-elected is if his team of organizers can vote HUGE numbers of illegals, homeless, dead folks and family pets – along with the occasional Mickey Mouse. We’ve already seen someone register his dog and we know a fellow was encouraged to go ahead and register Tim Tebow and Tom Brady with no id needed. With the wide use of mail-in ballots and no laws requiring id, I am concerned that we can’t have a fair election. Showing a photo-id should be a minimum requirement; BETTER, you’d have to show up in person on election day unless you are seriously incapacitated. It’s a small price to pay for living in the United States of America which, in spite of the President’s best efforts to have us think otherwise, is still the best, most exceptional country on the planet.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:58pmIt disenfranchises all those illegals SEIU filled out and sent in registration forms for.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:09pmThe DOJ is an enemy of America and the Constitution. Any I.D. are required to drive,buy alcohol,buy smokes,cash check and a host of other thing if the voter I.D. REQUIREMENT DISENFRANCHISE THEN ALL DISENFRANCHISE. If none of the other I.d.requirement disenfranchise then a voter I.D. requirement doesn’t.
Report Post »Now for the facts I.D. requirement will only disenfranchise those attempting to defraud the system. And any law that is applied equally to all races can’t be racist.
The state of Texas should have the vote pass the law then enforce it. Washington has not the power to stop it. If they try Texas should set it’s state troopers at polling places to make sure no federal interference happens.
More over Texas and the other states should file suits against the DOJ for political bias and using the DOJ as their own personal justice department and not the people’s DOJ.
13th Imam
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:57pmI thought TEXAS had balls. They keep on touting “Don’t mess with Texas”, but fold like a cheap suitcase when Eric speaks.
Just kidding Texans, here’s some words by Dutch Meyer
Fight ‘em till hell freezes over
Report Post »then fight ‘em on the ice
rot_soldier
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:03pmSadly, you are right. Texas has been nutured by Holder.
Report Post »daveposh
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:55pmTexas is not finished with Holder. This is only round one.
Report Post »hallkbrdz
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 6:50pmHolder is a wimp – Texas you need to treat him that way. Don’t let these Feds walk all over you – tell them where they can stick their opinion.
And if Holder visits remember to arrest him and throw him in jail for endangering Texas citizens lives with Fast and Furious, until a trial can be scheduled…. sometime… Oh – and no bail allowed, he is too much of a flight risk.
Report Post »JeannieD
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:51pmIsn’t it considered vagrancy not to have an ID??
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:21pmYou can’t cash a check, open a bank account,drive,purchase insurance, buy liquer or beer,can’t buy cigarettes, can’t use a credit card put, merchandise on lay’-a-way, get a loan. get welfare or food stamps, file an income tax return(don’t forget earned income credit) or even get a libray card without a picture ID.
Why should you be able to do one of the most sacred things with the most reponsibility without one?
Come on TEXAS and our Gov Perry stand up to Holdup and Obumbler, they are trying Chicago style politics nation wide. DON’T LET THEM PUSH US AROUND!!!!!!!! We are Texans and damn proud of it.
OMG
Report Post »rottiesforfreedom
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:02pmonly if youre an red blooded american
Report Post »huberto
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 9:00pmYou’ve got a good question there. However, you are only vagrant if you are white and have no ID. Otherwise, you are a downtrodden minority that gets special civil rights.
Report Post »jackact
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:50pmIf it looks like it, smells like it or sounds like it…it is Eric Holder.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:48pmpeople show id everywhere. I had to show id to return a pair of shoes why shouldn’t I do so when I vote?
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:47pmWhen I worked at a bank, customers who did not have a driver’s license were able to get a state-issued photo ID (which cost $5) to open accounts, cash checks and other bank services.
This is total BS. The libs want to continue their voter fraud and abuse of the electoral system unchecked.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:01pm@CONSERVATIVE NEW YORKER: All or Most States have an I.D. card available at little or no cost to citizens that do not have a drivers license or other I.D. The Eric Holder INJUSTICE Dept. are just following orders from the corrupt boss in our White House. EVERY Conservative and thinking cross-over voter MUST Vote this November just to outnumber the illegal and the dead that will vote the Democrat ticket. Not Voting IS a vote for Obama and Against America.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:43pmGotta keep that voter fraud alive and well to keep the Marxist POS in power,this regime rivals any in N.Korea or China and the communist bastards will do anything to stay in power.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:58pmPutin didn’t want voters to have I.D’s either. It’s so much easier to steal elections when no one has to prove who they are. That way the liberals can go through the phone book and vote as many times as they want.
Report Post »Laus Deo
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:43pmThe federal government of the USSA, flexing its ******* muscles once again…
Report Post »Laus Deo
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 8:12pmDon’t censor me, you’re bound to pissss me off. *Vagggginal muscles.
Report Post »opinionista
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:43pmInteresting that those who support voting without photo identification are always democrats and liberals. Conservatives do not mind proving that they are who they say they are.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:40pmBest thing to counter this, is to sit at polling places, whether a certified observer or not, and when wet-backs show up to vote, approach them, ask if they have I.D., and see if they stick around.Oh, and how can you tell a wet-back or not,wet-backs will NOT ever look you in the eye, period…….
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:40pmThe Godless acting like they really care …. BS
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:40pmI think they should vote on it.
Report Post »And when 183% of the state votes — then maybe they will do something about it.
ravendoe
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:40pmI hope this admnistration continues to make awful decisions such as this and that the gas prices keep climbing… it will ensure Barry and his cabinet of pals are voted out of office in November.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:47pmhe will win. this is how the majority of democrats get into office, the illegal or dead voters with machines controled by unions at the polls.
Report Post »Obama Nation
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:39pmSheriff Joe on Obama Investigation: Worse Than Watergate; Biggest Media Blackout in History
http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2012/03/sheriff-joe-on-obama-investigation.html
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:37pmStates rights? We don’ need no stinkin States Rights!!…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:36pmAnd… the Dead… and Aliens… will arise… and vote…
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:36pmand the takeover continues.
please read the fed takeover and your family being made financial slaves
by the govt . your ss# is traded on the market. your life is making others
rich, while you do their slave work.
The Corporation of the United States of America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XHl4j5xF-Js
look up common law.
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:43pmadmiralty law, common law and the sovereign
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XwZhU6uv9sA
Rickfromillinois
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:33pmYou need a photo id to write check. You need a photo id to get a driver’s license. You need a photo id to apply for Social Security, food stamps, unemployment, medicare, and medicare. You need a photo id to get a library card. Most states will give you one for free. But somehow it is discriminatory to require a photo id to vote. A photo id would make it more difficult to commit voter fraud. The vast majority of voter fraud allegations are against Democrats. Is it any wonder that they are so strongly against it?
Report Post »NoFameLost
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:46pmAmen brother. I have to show my ID – either my driver’s license or my VA card – at least three times a week. Yet apparantly it is a federal issue to make someone else show it to vote?
Report Post »chiquita
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 6:23pmBingo!!!!
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:33pmWhat, minorities have a lower expectaion because they refuse to assimilate to American culture? How does that work? ooooh, thats right , comrad barack is desperate for minority votes.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:32pm..”hispanics lack either a drivers license or peronal identificaion card..”..why is that I wonder?…This DOJ is flat out criminal and enabling….most hispanics can’t even have 1 out of 7 pieces of valid ID?…unreal.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:42pm@Marko331.
Report Post »Here in Texas, every wet-back out there has a d.l and an i.d card,fake ones, but they have them………
Mark0331
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:56pmI served with many of you Texas boys, bad asses all of them…keep up the fight, have faith that even here in NJ many of us see eye to eye with you folks…No Quarter is what I say.
Report Post »Impenitent
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:31pmI don’t think Texas will play along as nice as Arizona did…
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:34pmIf Texas fights it, Barry and his cohorts will sue Texas…is this for real I ask myself, but sadly it is.
Report Post »rot_soldier
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 4:01pmI just posted about how our elected officials are spineless. Texas will put it’s head down and do as their told. So much for the Great State of Texas. As goes Texas, so shall the rest of the nation.
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:23pmThe Good thing that Texas still has is gun rights!!
Report Post »chiquita
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 6:28pmDon’t give up on us yet, Rot_Soldier!!! Obama declared war on Texas the day he was inaugurated, and the war is far from over. Remember the Alamo!!!!!
Report Post »Minonkman
Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:27pmI live in Florida, and I have to show my ID to vote. I have no problem with it.
Report Post »