Sept. 19, 2006, 12:14AM
Some say voting law being used to scare minorities
Planned lawsuit to argue Texas AG is trying to dilute their poll strength
By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — Willie Ray, 69, said she thought she was teaching her granddaughter civic lessons in democracy, but instead the two black women in Texarkana ended up with criminal records for voter fraud.
Gloria Meeks of Fort Worth, also 69, said she stepped out of her morning bath last month and screamed.
Two voter fraud investigators from Attorney General Greg Abbott's office were peeking in her bathroom window, Meeks said in a sworn statement. Abbott's office declined to discuss specifics but said its investigation of Meeks has been "conducted professionally and properly, to the full extent allowed by law."
(snip)
Suit alleges intimidation
This week a Washington-based voting rights attorney aligned with Texas Democrats plans to challenge the state law in federal court, arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of free speech, free association and equal protection.
(snip)
Yet, of the 13 individuals indicted on charges of voter fraud by Abbott, 10 are accused of simply possessing another's absentee ballot for delivery to election officials or to a mailbox, Democrats say. Such activities had been legal until the 2003 law turned them into crimes.
(snip/...)
http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4196986.html(Free registration may be necessary)