Posted on 05/23/2007 6:22:15 AM PDT by cbkaty
This lawmaker counts his grandmother among reasons
In my community in Houston, thousands of first- and second-generation Americans came of age in the "greatest generation." They volunteered to protect our freedom in World War II. Many who came home had to fight to build a life for their families and exercise the rights they earned with their blood and tears.
As a firefighter, I was trained to protect their lives and property. As a state senator today, it's the least I can do to honor their sacrifices by being in Austin to protect their right to vote.
Every nonpartisan, academic study on the impact of voter ID laws in other states shows they suppress voter turnout among the elderly, low-income citizens, Hispanics, African-Americans and the disabled. But I don't need a study to know why voter ID proposals like House Bill 218 are bad; I just have to think about my grandmother.
My grandmother came from Mexico, played by the rules, became a citizen and earned her right to vote. She didn't have a driver's license, but she had her voter registration card, went to the polls where the workers knew her, and voted. If the voter ID law were in effect, I'm not sure she or others like her could have voted.
This year, close to 120 burdensome voter identification proposals were introduced in state legislatures across the nation. Not one of them has passed yet, and I want to make sure Texas isn't the only state to pass one. For many folks, a voter ID requirement doesn't sound like a big deal, but it would prevent many eligible voters from voting. Many elderly voters don't have a driver's license. Others who are disabled or work two jobs don't have the time, money or ability to get an ID card or documents they would need to vote. And new voter ID requirements would create confusion and long lines at the polls that would discourage many from voting.
When more people vote for American Idol contestants than vote for president, we should make it easier for people to vote, not harder. Voter ID proponents say it's necessary to combat "voter fraud" and raise the specter of "illegal aliens" voting, but no one has documented a single case of "voter impersonation" that HB 218 would solve. And common sense tells us noncitizens are not going to risk deportation by voting.
The bottom line is that voter ID is about politics, not fraud. In a 2004 election contest for a Harris County state House seat, a Texas House committee chaired by a conservative Republican found charges that hundreds of noncitizens voted were false. The Bush Justice Department's "Voting Access and Integrity Initiative," which directed U.S. attorneys to prioritize alleged voter fraud cases, resulted in only 24 convictions from 2002 to 2005. And the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found "that the accusations regarding widespread fraud are unjustified."
Voter ID laws passed in Georgia and Missouri were struck down by the courts, which concluded that the cost of obtaining the ID and necessary documents amounts to a 21st century poll tax.
In my community, there are veterans and people like my grandmother who earned their right to vote and shouldn't be forced to pay the modern day version of a poll tax. They are the real heroes in this story. I'm in Austin because it's my job to protect their right to vote.
Gallegos, a Democrat, represents Houston.
And just what situation would an illegal be DEPORTED for attempting to vote? Heck, even LAW ENFORCEMENT is forbidden from inquiring the legal status of anyone, how the heck would an illegal “risk deportation”?
“nonpartisan, academic”
mutually exclusive terms
I guess I should have said “body do your thing”, since it is trying to reject the transplant. This voter ID bill should have been labeled the voter fraud bill. Then the dims would have to try to explain their position.
Can't afford a $15 ID card, but they gladly pay a Coyote $2,000 to $7,000.....
Go figure....
The article is false. It ignors ALL THE OTHER STATES WHICH HAVE ID REQUIREMENTS.
This is NOTHING NEW.
The only new part is illegal alliens ineligible to vote will not be able to vote any more.
Voter ID laws have been on the books in FL for DECADES.
The survived 2004 and 2000 elections without a single blip.
In fact it was never even argued by the left.
Wasn’t prosecution (or lack thereof) of voter ID fraud in New Mexico and other places a catalyst for some of the Atty Gen firings that Gonzales is now on the hot seat for?
Approved forms of picture identification are: Florida driver's license; Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport; employee badge or identification; buyer's club identification; debit or credit card; military identification; student identification; retirement center identification; neighborhood association identification; and public assistance identification. If the picture identification does not contain a signature, you will be asked to provide an additional identification with your signature. If you do not have the proper identification you will be required to vote a provisional ballot.
Hmmmmm......a Buyer's Club Identification Card? What that f_?
In short it’s racist oppression of “minorities”, the third rail of American politics (which is why we don’t have border control). People don’t want to think about it but sooner or later we will either have completely open borders and elections or we will have a tamper-proof national ID. Modern ease of travel will make it a necessity if you want to retain anything vaguely resembling a nation. The criminal immigration policies of the last 40 years have brought the need for ID forward by decades or a century.
Former mistress accuses (Texas Senator) Gallegos of emotional abuse
With picture I.D. the illigals won’t be able to use their fake I.D.s to vote 5, 6 or more times. It’s a cultural thing.
The protector of those that can afford to drink all night in strip clubs, but cannot afford $15 for a photo ID card the next day.....
What a dope!
I got no problem with that.
...or work two jobs don't have the time, money or ability to get an ID card or documents they would need to vote.
How did they get these "two jobs"? Every job I've ever had required a lot more identifying documentation than any voter ID proposal.
1. Must own real property;
2. Must be able to read English;
3. Cannot have ever formed voting opinion from the League of Women Voters debates. If the prospective voter has, he/she is too stupid and uninformed to be allowed to decide my fate.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.