voting in Texas

Republicans are a dying breed, fortunately, full of bad ideas and old habits, and they know they have a rapidly-dwindling voting base of older, white males, bigoted white women and greedheads (of all colors).  

They're getting desperate.  

"Voter ID" laws passed only in "red" states are nothing more than attempts to reduce the number of "eligible" voters.  There aren't as many Republicans as there was awhile ago, so they figure they need to reduce the numbers of the other guys, if they can.

Reducing the number of polling stations; restricting opportunities to vote early; squealing about (nonexistent) "voter fraud" as a smokescreen to strike voters from the rolls;  this is not patriotism.  These are the acts of scoundrels.  Bastards!

They know they can't win fair and square, so they try and reduce the number of Democrats voting?  How fucking pathetic is that?

This Nov 5 is the first election where the new Voter ID laws are in effect in Texas, even though the US Justice Department announced that they are suing Texas to overturn them.  I guess we have to put up with this crap for the time being.  

We got a flyer in the mail recently that announced "Early Voting has never been easier!" Well, not really.  There are, in fact, more locations to vote early, but the Voter ID shit is in effect, so everyone better produce a valid photo ID or they won't be able to vote.  

I figure the GOP will next try to shorten or eliminate early voting altogether, since studies show that early voting tends to favor Democrats.  I guess the GOP is taking it one (backward) step at a time in Texas.

Below is a blurb about ID from the Mayor, Annise Parker's office.  I'll bet it just chaps Republicans asses to remember that Houston has an openly lesbian Mayor. The first in the nation, I believe.  While the small towns are just racist as hell.

Election Identification Certificate

Texas voters must show a photo ID to vote in elections in Texas, unless you are exempt (see “Exemptions” below).

If you do not have any of the following acceptable forms of ID, beginning June 26, 2013, you may apply for an Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge. However, if you already have any of the following forms of ID, you are not eligible for an EIC:

• Texas driver license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
• Texas personal identification card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
• Texas concealed handgun license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
• U.S. passport book or card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
• U.S. Military identification with photo—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
• U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo

Exemptions

If you are voting by mail, you do not have to submit a photo ID.

If you have a documented disability, you may apply at your county voter registrar for a permanent exemption from the photo ID requirement. If approved, you will not need a photo ID to vote.

For more information on the types of exemptions available, please visit your county voter registrar or the Texas Secretary of State.

How to Apply

To apply for an EIC, visit a driver license office and complete an Application for Texas Election Certificate (DL-14C) (PDF).
To qualify for an EIC, you must:

• Bring documentation to the office to verify your U.S. Citizenship
• Bring documentation to the office to verify your Identity
• Be eligible to vote in Texas (Bring your valid voter registration card to the office, or submit a voter registration application through the Texas Department of Public Safety at the office)  
• Be a Texas resident
• Be 17 years and 10 months or older

Expiration and Use

An EIC is valid for six years. There is no expiration date for certificates issued to citizens 70 years of age or older. 

Election Identification Certificates may only be used to vote and do not replace a Texas driver license or ID card. In addition, an EIC will not be accepted to verify identity when applying for a Texas driver license or ID card.

To vote, Texas will accept a concealed handgun license but not a student ID!  Gee, I wonder what voters they want to attract and which they want to repel?

Not only that, but it turns out that Texas is trying to keep women from voting too.  In addition to trying to control what women can do with their own bodies (while gettin' gummint off yer backs), if a woman changed her name (like getting married or divorced) there's a good chance she might not be able to vote!  

I guess that's no surprise, considering said pasty old white guys.  When women finally realize that the GOP is out to (metaphorically) fuck them, they likely would vote Democratic. Can't have that.  Gotta disenfranchise them too.  Too unreliable.  

This might be a classic case of unintended consequences.  The stupid GOP passes a stupid Voter ID law and it ends up snaring their own wives who were too stupid or too lazy to update their names on government documents.  I wonder how many GOP women it's going to stop from voting?  heh heh 

Texas Judge Almost Blocked From Voting Because of New Voter ID Law

A Texas district judge who has been voting for the past five decades was almost barred from the polls Tuesday, thanks to the state’s newly implemented, stricter voter ID law. The law kicked in on Tuesday as early voting in Texas’ November 5 election began.

As she told local channel Kiii News, 117th District Court Judge Sandra Watts was flagged for possible voter fraud because her driver’s license lists her maiden name as her middle name, while her voter registration form has her real middle name. This was the first time she has ever had a problem voting in 49 years. “What I have used for voter registration and for identification for the last 52 years was not sufficient yesterday when I went to vote,” she said.

Watts worried that women who use maiden names or hyphenated names may be surprised at the polls. “I don’t think most women know that this is going to create a problem,” the judge said. “That their maiden name is on their driver’s license, which was mandated in 1964 when I got married, and this. And so why would I want to use a provisional ballot when I’ve been voting regular ballot for the last 49 years?”

Many married women do not update their IDs after taking their spouse’s surnames, as the process is arduous and costly. Women must present original documents verifying their name change, such as a marriage license, or pay $20 to obtain new copies. Under the new voter ID law, these women are potential voter fraud risks.

Watts is hardly the only woman who has encountered problems. ThinkProgress’ Scott Keyes interviewed 84-year-old Dorothy Card, who was denied a voter ID three times even though she has voted for more than 60 years and provided extensive proof of identity.

While Watts, as an experienced judge, is familiar with the intricacies of election law, the people most likely to be stopped at the polls will be less informed about their rights. Low-income voters, minorities, students and seniors disproportionately lack the required identification — a fact that prompted the Justice Department and several federal judges to block the law under now-defunct provisions in the Voting Rights Act. After public outcry, Texas officials said they would distribute a free voter ID to eligible recipients who applied for one. As of this week, however, just 41 people received free IDs, out of the 1.4 million Texas voters who lack the required documents.

41 out of 1.4 million.  I'd say the GOP must be celebrating.  Original.