Texas passes voter ID law... doesn't allow US passports as acceptable ID

[TwixVoy]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7399973.html

So the morons in the Texas legislature have now passes a law requiring ID to vote.

Guess what? One of the most common documents proving US citizenship - a US Passport - is not an acceptable form of ID.

Instead you can use a state ID card, drivers license, or military ID card.... cards that anyone who is a citizen OR permanent resident/on a visa can obtain. (i.e. non citizens)

Genius.

[DrDan]

1. hmmm - did not see in that article where it would not accept a passport

wound't a passport be considered "citizenship papers"?

what did I miss?

[hobbit709]

4. The TX Lege has never been known for its reasoning abilities.

They actually approved a resolution once thanking Albert DeSalvo for his efforts at population control.

[hobbit709]

2. Two years ago when I renewed my TX driver's license

I had a big hassle because "My citizenship status was in question"

It was a DRIVER'S license-not a CITIZENSHIP license.

I ended up having to bring my original Austrian birth certificate(in German), the original notarized English translation, my original State Department form stating I am an American citizen by birth, and other paperwork.
When I remarked that I enlisted in the US Air Force and had a Top Secret clearance without all this crap, they responded with "Well, how did you get a TX license then?" My response was that they didn't ask for all this crap back in 1974.
It took TWO stuporvisors to make the decision to approve my license.

[liberal N proud]

3. They will do anything to prevent people from voting

[BlueJazz]

5. I applied for a passport to visit Australia last year and they put me through the wringer.

...and the weird thing is I'm a Citizen of both the USA and Australia.
I had to supply more paperwork and I.D. than a corporate tax return and now (if I lived in Texas), Texas says that's not good enough ??

Another idiot law by idiots.

[End Of The Road]

6. Passport is acceptable!

From the Dallas Morning News:

"The bill would require Texans to show a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, concealed handgun license, passport or citizenship ID to vote. An effort by Democrats to include student IDs with photos was rejected by Republicans."

Also, the bill has only passed the Senate. It goes to the House today, and it will almost certainly pass, but with a bit more difficulty than in the Senate.

I really don't know why the Republicans have bothered with this one, since Texas is such a red state anyway.

[Melissa G]

23. Texas is a purple state. That is why Pubs are fighting so hard

to rig it red. Here is an article to show how we could be following California into the bluer ranges.
http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2005/08/28/texas-turning-purple/

[sarge43]

7. Psst morons, an individual does not have to be a US citizen to enlist in the armed forces.

Just when you think they can't get any more stupid, they never disappoint.

[Statistical]

10. The purpose of the ID is to prove identity not citizenship.

Most of the other acceptable forms of ID including the most common - driver's license don't prove citizenship either.

[sarge43]

12. Point taken.

However, as most of these IDs can be easily forged, this appears to be more voter harassment or meaningless busy work, "See we're doin' sumthin'."

[Statistical]

13. I agree.

Unless there is a report showing voter fraud is widespread and large enough to affect elections it is a "solution" looking for a problem.

[jberryhill]

21. Plus, a passport doesn't show Texas residence, or residence in the voting district

Driver's licenses should not be used for voter verification for other reasons.

But if the point is about identification as the voter listed on the roll for a given address, a passport doesn't do that.

[sarge43]

24. Neither would a military ID n/t

[RedCloud]

8. They'll be looking at them once their unwelcome ass is kicked out of America.

[NoPasaran]

9. Point of Information

This has only passed the Texas Senate, the House hasn't considered it yet. I have no doubt that there will be a voter ID law passed this session, but its final form is not yet set in stone.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

11. Passport is not acceptable in Ohio either as voter's ID

I was surprised when I discovered this in the poll workers guide book. You would think a passport would be eligable.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. It is proof of identity and citizenship, not residence

For example, in MD you need to provide both to get a drivers license etc

[jberryhill]

22. Your address is not in your passport

[MineralMan]

14. Voting is based on place of residence. That's not part of a

passport. It doesn't demonstrate that you live within a particular district and precinct.

[Johonny]

15. Jim meet Crow

[somone]

16. There was testimony about "devious nuns"

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7397784.html

...The bill is modeled after an Indiana law that has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, but Democrats noted that Indiana is not covered by the Voting Rights Act as Texas is. Indiana's chief elections legal officer, Jerry Bonnet, defended his state's photo identification voting law for Texas senators Tuesday, saying he knew of no instance of anyone suffering major problems voting because of it.

But Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said she knew of a story where 10 nuns were barred from voting in the 2008 election because they did not have driver's licenses. Bonnet said the incident was a set-up. "The nuns did have passports ... but they refused to present them," Bonnet said. "It really was a media event. That incident would seem to be discredited as a legitimate event."

"You're saying this was organized by devious nuns?" Van de Putt asked.

"Yes," Bonnet replied...

[sarge43]

17. OMG, legions of devious nuns!

That Dear Molly Ivins were still with us -- what she could have done with this one.

[rainbow4321]

19. Reminds me of when I went to get a replacement SS card for my kid

She was in high school and had misplaced her social security card. So I made plans to go the nearest SS office to get her a replacement card.

I did it on my lunch break in the middle of the day so she was not with me at the time.
I brought her birth certificate and my driver's license picture ID and asked if the new card could be mailed to our house.
Their response: They couldn't **mail it** because birth certificates were not an acceptable form of ID as they were easy to falsify or be fake. What did they consider a fake-proof ID: her health insurance card or her school picture ID.
Ummm...and those 2 forms of ID can't be faked, I asked??? Especially since it is not like a health insurance card is a picture ID.
The clerk just shrugged and said it was a federal level decision.

What they gave me that day instead was a letter with SS letterhead that stated her name and SS# on it. But they still refused to mail the actual card to our house because of her not being there with me and also because, in their eyes, I had not provided a "real" form of her ID.

[MilesColtrane]

20. Acceptable photo ID includes...

Texas driver's license or identification card, a US military ID card, a US passport, a Texas concealed handgun license, or a US citizenship certificate that contains a photo.

(Citizens 70 years of age or older are exempt under this law.)

[david13]

25. Probably unconstitutional. Supremecy Clause. dc