Texas House Bill 218 Options

[impala454]

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R...ml/HB00218I.htm

Here's the meat of it:

On offering to vote, a voter must present to an election officer at the polling place the voter's voter registration certificate and either:
(1) one form of identification listed in Section 63.0101(a):

(1) a driver's license or personal identification card issued to the person by the Department of Public Safety
(2) a United States military identification card that contains the person's photograph
(3) a valid employee identification card that contains the person's photograph and is issued by an employer of the person in the ordinary course of the employer's business
(4) a United States citizenship certificate [papers] issued to the person that contains the person's photograph
(5) a United States passport issued to the person
(6) a student identification card issued by a public or private institution of higher education located in Texas that contains the person's photograph
(7) a license to carry a concealed handgun issued to the person by the Department of Public Safety.

-or-

(2) two different forms of identification listed in Section 63.0101(B):

(1) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter;
(2) official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental entity;
(3) a certified copy of a birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person's identity;
(4) United States citizenship papers issued to the person;
(5) an original or certified copy of the person's marriage license or divorce decree;
(6) court records of the person's adoption, name change, or sex change;
(7) an identification card issued to the person by a governmental entity of this state or the United States for the purpose of obtaining public benefits, including veteran's benefits, Medicaid, or Medicare;
(8) a temporary driving permit issued to the person by the Department of Public Safety;
(9) a pilot's license issued to the person by the Federal Aviation Administration or another authorized agency of the United States;
(10) a library card that contains the person's name issued to the person by a public library located in this state; or
(11) a hunting or fishing license issued to a person by the Parks and Wildlife Department

So basically, to vote, you need either 1 photo ID, or two non-photo IDs. Is it just me or does this not sound extremely reasonable and sensible??? Yet, the bill is being taken down because (quoted here)

Democrats contend the measure is designed to discourage voting by poor minorities and the elderly, who typically prefer Democratic candidates, and that there are no known cases of undocumented immigrants casting votes.

Discourage voting by poor minorities and the elderly??!!!? So are these the same democrats who call for recounts or don't want electronic voting machines because of possible voter fraud, and they're voting against a measure to require some form of ID at the voter's booth (very lenient forms of ID I might add) ????

[cupcake]

I must be missing something...

how would presenting a photo ID discourage anyone?

[James]

I wasn't aware that identification wasn't already required to vote; I've done absentee ballot for every election that I've voted in. Yeah, this is a very reasonable bill. Was there something attached to it that made them upset?

[impala454]

it didn't even get past the draft stages... the demos wouldn't let it come up for debate, pretty hilarious what the reps tried to do to bring it up though (from that same houston chronicle article):

The strange sequence started on Tuesday when Dewhurst took advantage of an ailing Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, to bring up the bill. Without Uresti on the floor, Dewhurst and the chamber's 20 Republicans had the minimum votes needed to start debate. But seconds before calling Uresti's name, the senator entered the chamber to vote against bringing up the legislation. He then hurried to the member's lounge to vomit.

[impala454]

yeah james, I've voted ever since I was 18, all you need is your voter reg card. The full text of the bill is that first link in the orig post.

[James]

Alright, then an alternative would be to change the way voter registration cards are obtained. Require the person to provide identification when they obtain the card, if that's not already required. I've been getting my card in the mail automatically since I registered @ 18, so I assume it's done the same for everyone and there's not really a check to be sure that you're the recipient of the card.

I don't think changing these requirements would necessitate a bill, just a policy change by the agency created to oversee voter registration.

[impala454]

it already works that way... you first sign up for voter reg when you get your driver's license, if you change address on your license they'll simply mail the new reg card to the new address. the voter reg card is pretty much only there for the purposes of making sure the person is in the right precinct.

[Spectatrix]

I just recently registered to vote in Texas again, so I know the form. You have to provide your name and either TX driver's license number, TX ID card number, or last four digits of your SSN. Not even your whole SSN. If you don't have a DL, ID, or SSN, I presume you have to jump through some extra hoops to register, but I don't know exactly what is involved.

And yes, I'd support this bill. I don't think it presents any undue hardship for voters. However, passing of this bill would need to be accompanied by significant amounts of "advertisement" to inform people that they'll need to bring ID to the polls.

This post has been edited by Spectatrix: May 17 2007, 10:26 AM

[The Fanatic]

hmmm, where is my voter registration card....

[Seeker]

I'm for the bill because I'm tired of hearing reports of illegal immigrants voting in American elections, especially in Bexar county Texas.

If you can't figure out how to vote then you shouldn't be voting, plain and simple.

And this has nothing to do with electronic voting machines which is a whole other debate.

[prefix]

I voted Nay, and the only one that did purely because you can get the two non-identification forms from someone's trash can. Not having to present a picture ID is retarded. Anyone feel differently?

[impala454]

So you'd rather the person not have to show any ID?

[James]

Sounds like he'd rather have them not half-ass it and require only the first options with photo ID. Send it back to the drawing board until they get it right. Which makes sense. All those photo ID options are not overly difficult to get. I think the personal identification card is a good option for anyone that doesn't have any of the others at only $15 ($5 if you're over 60 and it doesn't expire) every 6 years.

[THECHICKEN]

The argument against bills like this are that minorities are discourage BECAUSE of this shit we heard about from the past election of people posting signs telling people that "if you show up to vote, you will have a background check run and not allowed to vote and maybe arrested."

So minorities and such fear that they'll basically be arrested, not allowed to vote, and all over late alimony payments. The identification card requirement makes them even more scared because of the information that can be used against them that is on the identification cards (like warrants on SSN and DL).

Thats the argument at least.... Personally i think you can handle those problems much better than not requiring identification.

-Oh, and isn't it supposed to be "YAY" and nay?

[James]

The argument against bills like this are that minorities are discourage BECAUSE of this shit we heard about from the past election of people posting signs telling people that "if you show up to vote, you will have a background check run and not allowed to vote and maybe arrested."

So minorities and such fear that they'll basically be arrested, not allowed to vote, and all over late alimony payments. The identification card requirement makes them even more scared because of the information that can be used against them that is on the identification cards (like warrants on SSN and DL).

Thats the argument at least.... Personally i think you can handle those problems much better than not requiring identification.

-Oh, and isn't it supposed to be "YAY" and nay?

Both are correct. Aye for "I assent" and Yay for "Yes, I." Though aye has a more direct relation to nay as both aye and nay are descendent from Scandanavian.

http://www.viking.no/e/england/e-viking_words_3.htm

"The More You Know!" TM