Wow. Texas did not waste any time. Only hours after the Supreme Court voided preclearance in the Voting Rights Act, the Texas Secretary of State imposed the new PHOTO ID law effective immediately:
Photo ID now required for voting in Texas
AUSTIN, TX – Texas Secretary of State John Steen today announced that photo identification will now be required when voting in Texas elections. His announcement follows a decision Tuesday by the U.S. Supreme Court that cleared the way for photo ID requirements in Texas, originally passed by the Texas Legislature in 2011, to take effect.
“My office is committed to making sure Texans have all the information they need to vote, including what forms of identification they need now that photo ID requirements are in effect,” said Secretary Steen.
A voter will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before the voter will be permitted to cast a vote:
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States passport
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented at the polling place.
Election identification certificates are now available only for voters who do not already have a required form of photo identification. There is no fee for the certificate. Information on how to obtain an election identification certificate can be found at www.dps.texas.gov. You may also contact DPS by telephone at (512) 424-2600.
To review frequently asked questions and answers, visit www.votetexas.gov.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/...
If this new PHOTO ID law in Texas passed two years ago doesn't prove the preclearance of new voting laws was not necessary, I'm not sure what does?
The fact that southern states are imposing new voter suppression, discriminatory laws immediately, on the same day as the court decision just shows how wrong the decision was.
Other Southern states already moving forward on Voter Suppression:
4 Effects of Voting Rights Ruling on 2014 Midterms
1. Voter ID Laws
Within hours of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Texas secretary of State announced that new voter ID photo requirements would take effect immediately. Last year, a federal court struck down this voter ID requirement law, which was covered by Section 5.
Look for other states to do the same. A federal court struck down a similar voter ID law last year in South Carolina, another previously covered state. Both Alabama and Virginia were in the process of seeking pre-clearance to implement voter identification laws under the same provision, now voided because of the court’s ruling.
http://atr.rollcall.com/...
North Carolina is not far behind either:
States like North Carolina are already moving forward on PHOTO ID laws without pre-clearance provision
A bill requiring voters to present one of several forms of state-issued photo ID starting in 2016 cleared the House two months ago, but it's been sitting since in the Senate Rules Committee to wait for a ruling by the justices in an Alabama case, according to Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, the committee chairman. He said a bill will now be rolled out in the Senate next week.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
We must put pressure on Congress and our President to pass the necessary legislation in response to today's horrifying Supreme Court decision.
3:31 PM PT: As of today, in Texas there is a fee to get a PHOTO ID.
From the Texas Department of Public Safety web site;
Apply for an Identification (ID) Card
To apply for your first Texas ID card, you must do the following:
Gather documents that verify your identity, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence status, and Texas residency.
Complete the application. (This form is also available at all driver license offices.)
Apply in person at any driver license office and bring the required documents and fees.
New Texas Residents
Individuals who hold a valid, unexpired ID card from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or foreign country, do not need to replace it with a Texas ID card until it expires. To apply for a Texas ID card, an individual must meet all of the above requirements.
U.S. Military Veterans
Some disabled veterans may qualify for a fee exemption on their driver license or ID card. More information about this service, including qualification requirements, is available on the Veteran Services page.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/...
Fees include:
A $1 administrative fee is included in the following fee amounts. If you are completing more than one transaction at the same time in person or online, you will only be charged this fee once. The $1 administrative fee is not charged for transactions conducted through the mail.
ID type *Fee Information
Identification (ID) card
Age 59 and younger: new $16 Expires after six years (on your birthday)
Age 59 and younger: renewal $16 Expires six years after previous expiration date
Age 60 and older: new or renewal $6 Never expires
Replacement ID card $11 Current expiration date does not change
Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged ID card
Change address or name
Limited term ID card
For temporary visitors to the U.S. $16 Expires when period of lawful presence expires, or in one year if lawful presence period is “duration of status”
ID card for individuals registered under Chapter 62, CCP
New or renewal $21 Expires one year after previous expiration date
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/...