Did he sign the voter ID law today?
AUSTIN 5/16/11— A signature issue for Texas Republicans is headed to Gov. Rick Perry after the House voted Monday on a final photo ID bill that Republican supporters predicted would increase voter participation because of greater confidence in honest elections.
Democrats complained it would succeed in what it is designed to do: lower voter turnout among minorities.
The governor declared voter ID an emergency issue in early January. It’s been a priority for Republicans for the past decade, though Democrats have always managed to foil the legislation.
The fight now will likely move to the courts to keep Texas from implementing what could be the strictest voter ID bill in the country.
Texas voters, beginning next year, will have to provide one of the following forms of photo identification before being allowed to cast a ballot: Texas driver’s license, Texas concealed handgun license, military photo card, U.S. passport, or election ID certificate (provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety without charge to those who do not have other acceptable ID cards).