[jogiba]

In Texas, where Republicans won massive midterm election victories for the state legislature, a bill requiring driver's licenses from voters is sailing through to passage. Democrats failed to amend the law to allow non-photo IDS -- pieces of mail, for example -- as proof enough for voting. Luckily, Republicans and some Democrats have softened the bill to make it easier for two kinds of voters.

- Voters born in 1931 or earlier do not have to show a photo ID.

- Gun owners who have concealed handgun licenses can use them to prove their identities.

I'll stress it again: These were bipartisan changes to the law. They are also going to help Republican voters. In 2008, a decent year for Texas Democrats but the last one for which exit polls are available, John McCain beat Barack Obama by 34 points among voters who were 65 and older; McCain had only won statewide by 10 points. We don't have a clean poll like this that tells us how gun owners voted in 2008, but the data is clear; gun owners favor Republicans.

Now, it's not easy to get a concealed handgun license. Showing one does prove that you're a citizen. That law makes sense. It just so happens that both of these exemptions benefit Republicans.

Weigel : Texas Voter ID Law Exempts Elderly, Gun Owners

[jeffkrol]

In Texas, where Republicans won massive midterm election victories for the state legislature, a bill requiring driver's licenses from voters is sailing through to passage. Democrats failed to amend the law to allow non-photo IDS -- pieces of mail, for example -- as proof enough for voting. Luckily, Republicans and some Democrats have softened the bill to make it easier for two kinds of voters.

- Voters born in 1931 or earlier do not have to show a photo ID.

- Gun owners who have concealed handgun licenses can use them to prove their identities.

I'll stress it again: These were bipartisan changes to the law. They are also going to help Republican voters. In 2008, a decent year for Texas Democrats but the last one for which exit polls are available, John McCain beat Barack Obama by 34 points among voters who were 65 and older; McCain had only won statewide by 10 points. We don't have a clean poll like this that tells us how gun owners voted in 2008, but the data is clear; gun owners favor Republicans.

Now, it's not easy to get a concealed handgun license. Showing one does prove that you're a citizen. That law makes sense. It just so happens that both of these exemptions benefit Republicans.

Weigel : Texas Voter ID Law Exempts Elderly, Gun Owners

Lilly white america is falling and there all afraid of the future.. what do you expect......

[GeneV]

I heard about this and shook my head. The ID is effective enough at cutting down on the poorest and least motivated voters, but sticking in exemptions like this....

[jeffkrol]

I heard about this and shook my head. The ID is effective enough at cutting down on the poorest and least motivated voters, but sticking in exemptions like this....

I hear it's one vote per gun.......

[reeftool]

So physically disabled people who don't drive will loose their right to vote in Texas? People who live in urban areas who don't need cars can't vote? This is stupid but consider the state.

[Nesster]

Not stupid. It's vote suppression.

The Republicans gain.

[deejjjaaaa]

Not stupid. It's vote suppression.

The Republicans gain.

2011 - 1931 = 80+ ? is it a big deal really... what is the big deal is that why "concealed handgun licenses" do not have photos !

[clmonk]

This is NOT vote suppression. EVERY TX Drivers License renewal location also has the ability to create a Tx. Photo ID. I would find it absolutely AMAZING that the vast majority of voting age people living in TX do NOT have a license, but those that do not would also not be able to drink alcohol either and I don't see anyone upset about alcohol suppression! Come ON people...don't look for political conspiracies under every piece of legislation!

[GeneV]

This is NOT vote suppression. EVERY TX Drivers License renewal location also has the ability to create a Tx. Photo ID. I would find it absolutely AMAZING that the vast majority of voting age people living in TX do NOT have a license, but those that do not would also not be able to drink alcohol either and I don't see anyone upset about alcohol suppression! Come ON people...don't look for political conspiracies under every piece of legislation!

We don't give the right to vote to the majority, but to every citizen.

[jeffkrol]

This is NOT vote suppression. EVERY TX Drivers License renewal location also has the ability to create a Tx. Photo ID. I would find it absolutely AMAZING that the vast majority of voting age people living in TX do NOT have a license, but those that do not would also not be able to drink alcohol either and I don't see anyone upset about alcohol suppression! Come ON people...don't look for political conspiracies under every piece of legislation!

Are they free????

[clmonk]

Wow Gene...That is really DEEP! And if I search long enough I MIGHT find it relevant???? No one is being denied the right to vote except those unwilling to provide legally acceptable proof of citizenship. In this day, amidst claims of voter fraud how can we better assure the integrity of the process?

[GeneV]

Wow Gene...That is really DEEP! And if I search long enough I MIGHT find it relevant???? No one is being denied the right to vote except those unwilling to provide legally acceptable proof of citizenship. In this day, amidst claims of voter fraud how can we better assure the integrity of the process?

The claims of fraud are largely manufactured and blown way out of proportion just to support this kind of voter suppression.

ID requirements tend to disproportionately affect the uneducated poor and minorities. It is not that most people are "unwilling" to present ID (though some are out of fear), but that they don't have it or don't regularly carry it. These are all groups that tend to vote Democratic. It also disproportionately impacts the elderly, which in Texas tend to vote Republican.

Why exempt old people?

By the way, the disproportionate impact on poor and minorities, and thus on Democrats, has been well documented. (Page 1 of 33) - The Disproportionate Impact of Photo Identification Requirements on the Indiana Electorate authored by Barreto, Matt., Nuo, Stephen. and Sanchez, Gabriel.

[clmonk]

So if we extend that logic out a bit we should probably just allow ANYONE showing up at the poll a ballot??? Requiring voter registration probably ALSO disproportionately affects the poor, and minorities, and undereducated. We probably ought to do away with that too, right? They don't need to "regularly" carry it, Gene. They just have to carry it to the polling place when they want to vote. But I do agree with your question, "Why exempt old people?" In my opinion, any requirements should be across the board and equal for ALL.

[GeneV]

So if we extend that logic out a bit we should probably just allow ANYONE showing up at the poll a ballot??? Requiring voter registration probably ALSO disproportionately affects the poor, and minorities, and undereducated. We probably ought to do away with that too, right? They don't need to "regularly" carry it, Gene. They just have to carry it to the polling place when they want to vote. But I do agree with your question, "Why exempt old people?" In my opinion, any requirements should be across the board and equal for ALL.

It is the photo ID that is the problem. Right now, you bring some mail addressed to you at your home if someone asks.

Good point. Do you have the data on registraion? If so, we may need to find a way to avoid registration. Some states do it with motor voter laws and computer databases at the polling place. It may be that many with a DL don't have time to register. I have no problem with a voluntary photo ID as a way to avoid registration.

Our problem in this country is not too many people voting, but too few.

[clmonk]

Gene wrote: Our problem in this country is not too many people voting, but too few.

On THIS we can agree!