Eric Holder, Voter ID, and Texas

Most of us out here in flyover country have trouble understanding just what the problem is with requiring voters to show a photo ID. More to the point, we have trouble with people like Attorney General Eric Holder who want to allow people to vote who don't have the wherewithal to get a photo ID.

WeaselZippers points us to this Politico story that tells us that Eric Holder used Martin Luther King day to wail against state laws requiring voters to show photo IDs. Holder, you'll recall, is the guy who refused to prosecute two Black Panthers who got video taped intimidating voters in Philadelphia on election day in 2008.

Holder is holding up Texas' voter ID law by requesting more and more information. And one has to speculate that his concerns would have never materialized if the Texas law didn't go into effect until after the November 2012 election.

Just how hard is it to get a photo ID in Texas?  We aren't talking about driver's licenses, although it's the same application form. We are talking about a simple photo ID issued by the state of Texas and which is basically a driver's license that excludes the license to drive. It requires filling out the aforementioned application form and producing some identification, the requirements of which don't look that harsh. By the way, disclosure of the ID applicant's social security number is optional.

According to the DPS fee page, the price for the initial card is $16 for anyone under 60 years of age and it's good for six years. For those 60 and over it's $6 and has an "Indefinite Expiration date." ( Not sure if that means "til death" or "to infinity, and beyond.")

Let's see, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, voter ID. Going back to application form, here are some interesting lines:

Would you like to complete a voter registration application form today? You must be eligible.
(¿Le gustaria llenar la forma de registro de votante hoy? Tiene que ser elegible.)

Someone applying for the ID can register to vote at the same time.  No problemo. So Mr. Holder, what is your real motive?

Comments

[Ospurt]

It is easy and it is *FREE*. From the Secretary of State's website:

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2011-10.shtml

"Lastly, Senate Bill 14 creates a new form of photo identification called an election identification certificate, which the Texas Department of Public Safety issues. Effective January 1, 2012, registered voters or those eligible to register who do not have a required form of photo identification may apply for the election identification certificate. There is no fee for the certificate."

[Geo]

If that doesn't satisfy Holder, I don't know what will.

[Ganiyu]

/ August 2nd, 2006, 10:30 am / The only problem is that this State Board keeps flip lpipfong between a creationist and evolutionist majority. Every damn election a new camp gets a majority. Lets hope it stays in the evolution majority from now on. Or better yet, lets work for the fall of Democracy so that this majority-rules shit stops happening

[Victoria]

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