LT GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK MAKES STATEMENT ON VOTER ID LAW REJECTION
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday made the following statement regarding the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling related to Texas' Voter ID law:
"As joint author of Texas Voter ID law, I strongly disagree with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which rejected a portion of that law. Texas' Voter ID law was passed by the legislature with the intent of preserving the integrity of the voting process. There was never any intention of preventing anyone from voting who is legally qualified to do so. It was designed to make sure that every vote that is cast is done so lawfully.
"In fact, during the most recent legislative session, Senate Bill 983, by Senator Paul Bettencourt, was passed by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor, allowing any citizen seeking a voter ID to obtain a free birth certificate. Texas law is intended to protect the right to vote, as well as preserve voters' confidence in our election system, regardless of race, ethnicity or socio-economic status."
Theres no law requiring you to have a I.d. to live in Texas.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t state law require you to have some form of identification on you? So if you have this under state law, what is the harm in showing it when you vote? I guess I just do not understand what the big deal is.
No. State law does not require you to have ID. If you are driving, you have to have a drivers’ license. But you are NOT required to have ID.
I hope this puts the whole issue in perspective for you:
You don’t need a photo ID to vote, but you do need one to buy alcohol and cigarettes.
Despite what the left has said in the debate over Voter ID laws, it’s pretty clear that you need a photo ID to do pretty much anything.
You need one to open a bank account, or to apply for a job to fill that bank account.
You also need an ID to file for unemployment, and to apply for welfare, and Medicaid, and food stamps.
You need a photo ID to apply for Social Security
And to buy a home, and apply for a mortgage, or to rent a home.
You need a photo ID to drive a car, you need one to buy a new car, to buy a used car, heck, you even need one to rent a car.
You need a photo ID to get on an airplane, and you need one to get married, and you need one to check into a hotel room for your honeymoon.
You need a photo ID to buy a gun, and to apply for a hunting license and a fishing license, and even to adopt a pet.
You need a photo ID to pick up a prescription, you need one to buy certain kinds of cold medicine, and you need one to donate blood.
You need a photo ID to enter a casino, and you need one to buy lottery tickets.
You need one to buy a video game that’s rated M for Mature, and you need one to see a movie rated NC-17.
You need a photo ID to buy a cell phone and apply for a coverage plan and, in perhaps the greatest irony of the entire Voter ID debate, you need a photo ID to hold a rally or protest, such as a rally or protest against requiring a photo ID to vote.
In some States it’s called “Loitering and Prowling ” if your caught walking the streets with out your ID,,,and you will go to jail
Mike,
You nailed it!! My thoughts exactly. My mother-in-law does not drive, moved here from another country so she cannot vote, but she had to get a Texas ID Card because it is the law.
All those things you listed are not constitutional guarantees. They are privileges. It is not an equivalent comparison.
Doesn’t our Constitutional guarantees guarantee that a US Citizen is voting and only voting once? What harm is it to show your ID when you vote unless you are hiding something? Something needs to be done to Guarantee MY RIGHTS are watched after and that people who are not citizens are not voting!