Voter ID in Texas

Everything you need to know:

Republicans say it’s the most important issue in Texas. Never mind the high unemployment, record foreclosures, failing educational system, Texas at the top of polluted air and water and so forth. Republicans have to make up a voter ID crisis.

Dewhurst makes the case against voter ID.

Dewhurst: Voter ID compromise hoped for

The fact is, we ID voters already.

The voter ID bill, as written, will disenfranchise and confuse a lot of unsuspecting voters. A recently married or divorced woman whose last name or address isn’t matched up. A college student whose permanent address is different from voter registration address. A person whose had their identity stolen (and had their social security number frozen). A person whose driver’s license has expired and who doesn’t have a social security card — or a birth certificate to get a duplicate. A person, like me, whose utility bill isn’t in my name. An older person with no ID and no transportation.

Alarmingly, the only answer to these bureaucratic snafus is that part-time, voluntary election judges will be given the discretion to decide. For the first time since the Voting Rights Act, a local volunteer will be able to deny someone the right to vote based on appearance. For instance, if you’ve dyed your hair or look a lot older than your ID picture.

Because the bill is aimed squarely at minorities and the poor, it is sometimes overlooked that many Texans will be hit by the bureaucratic nightmare of the bill, and they need to know it. It’s a message that’s already giving some lawmakers pause, and we need their constituents to hear it.