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Texas’ voter ID law was temporarily reinstated this week. The U.S. Justice Department had condemned it as being a way to suppress minority voter turnout. It will be allowed in the upcoming election because it was determined that it is too late to change the rules. What do you think of the state’s voter ID law?
Timothy Schmidt, Frisco: How hard is it to have a photo ID? You need a photo ID for almost anything of substance and I have never met someone who did not have one unless they were homeless. Even the low-income students at my former school had photo IDs. I’m still trying to understand the suppress minority voting argument.
Marla Horn, Frisco: Having worked the elections as a clerk and judge, I feel this law should be upheld. The argument that it is a way to suppress minority turnout just doesn’t hold up. There is no reason, if they are citizens, that they can’t have a government-issued ID. You don’t have to drive to get one. You need to provide proof you are a U.S. citizen to get an ID. That’s it. This should be possible for anyone that was born here. This law helps to prevent voter fraud, allowing the clerks and judges working the elections to visually see that you are who you say you are. Without a picture ID, I could hand my voter ID card to my neighbor and ask them to go vote for me. The clerks may know a few of the people that come in to vote but can’t possibly know them all so they have no way of knowing if that card or the information you provide is really you. I truly feel the only people fighting this are the ones who want to vote, but aren’t legal residents or those trying to fix an election.
Gerald Montgomery, Frisco: The voter ID law is important to maintain the integrity of the electoral system. While some say there is no need for this, one only needs to reference the well-documented cases of voter fraud such as Lyndon Johnson’s first election to the U.S. Senate and the many occasions in Chicago — hence, the well-known request to be buried in Chicago so they can continue to vote.
Paul Blair, Frisco: In a country where 40 percent are expected to vote in the coming election, we should be doing everything we can to encourage more participation in the election process, not less. Evidence has proven that voter fraud is a non issue. Republican attempts to garner the vote in areas where they are losing power is the sole force behind the new voting law. According to Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg, the measure may prevent more than 600,000 registered Texas voters from voting in November’s election. This is unacceptable and counter to the concept of fair elections. My hope is that a reexamination by the Supreme Court will overturn this unfair law. Unfortunately, it will be too late for this election and the elitists have temporarily won again.
On Twitter: @neighborsgo
