Texas
Related: About this forumTexas Election Judge Had To Turn Away 93-Year-Old Veteran Due To Strict Voter ID Law
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2014/10/27/3584645/texas-voter-id-pollworkers/Under Texas new voter ID law, one of the strictest in the nation, citizens are required to present one of seven forms of photo identification to vote. The identification can be a Texas-issued drivers license, a federally-issued veterans ID card, or a gun registration card, among other forms. Licenses can be expired, but not for more than 60 days.
The man Parsley said he had to turn away was a registered voter, but his license had been expired for a few years, likely because he had stopped driving. Parsley said the man had never gotten a veterans identification card. And though he had all sorts of other identification cards with his picture on it, they werent valid under the law so the election judges told him he had to go to the Department of Public Safety, and renew his license.
He just felt real bad, you know, because hes voted all his life, Parsley said.
bigdarryl
(13,190 posts)After not driving for years.They would make him retake a drivers coarse.Just goes to show how stupid and crazy these voter ID laws are.I wonder if he is a white guy.
Heywood J
(2,515 posts)progree
(10,918 posts)The problem isn't that it's not possible to get IDs, but that many Democratic-leaning demographics have to go through the extra effort of getting one (sometimes a quite considerable extra effort for someone who doesn't drive), just to vote, whereas most Republican-leaning demographics already have a valid (for voting) ID.
(That said, the elderly are not a Democratic-leaning demographic, but most of the others that disproportionately don't have drivers licenses are disproprotionately Democratic leaning).
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)There is very little voter fraud in this country. There is election fraud and one example of that is when restrictive barriers to registration are put in place like poll taxes and voter ID laws.
progree
(10,918 posts)Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)The Palos Verdes Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis) is a small endangered butterfly native to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwest Los Angeles County, California. As its distribution has been proven to be limited to one single site it has one of the best claims to being the world's rarest butterfly.
Voter fraud is almost non-existent. It does not occur at a frequency that could affect the out come of an election for dog catcher in a town of 1000.
atreides1
(16,093 posts)This wide net that Texas with the assistance of the SCOTUS has cast will probably catch many like this man, veteran and non-veteran, as well as many other Americans.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)What about the election judge who had to turn him away? If anyone felt bad, it should have been him, and all the assholes who voted for this law, Gov. Goodhair who signed it, AND the Supreme Court of these United States who let this obscenity stand.
I'm effing embarrassed to be an American when crap like this is not only enacted but allowed to stand.
sulphurdunn
(6,891 posts)aren't usually the kind of people who feel bad about anything they do to others.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)- or rather required - that voters be allowed to cast a provisional ballot as the case is going to end up back in front of them for full review anyway.
samsingh
(17,601 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Clearly enough time to get an ID card from the state. He has not run out of time.
Lochloosa
(16,068 posts)He shouldn't have to. That is the point.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)We need his vote. The rules are not going to change in 8 days.
ashling
(25,771 posts)The article says he was told to get his license renewed, not how to get a voter id card. He may not have the documentation for that card. If, for instance, he had to get a copy of his birth certificate from another state 8 days might not be enough.... at 93 yrs old, he might not even have a birth certificate.
Texas has not gone out of its way (understatement) to provide information as to how to get their special little card.
Hangingon
(3,071 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)Hangingon
(3,071 posts)I don't believe this article. He should have been allowed to vote provisionally.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)He'd still have to go get an ID for his vote to count.
ashling
(25,771 posts)The details of the ordeal Kennie faced in order to exercise his right to vote is chronicled in a must-read piece by the Guardians Ed Pilkington. Because Kennie doesnt drive, he doesnt have a drivers license. That not only means that he lacks one of the few forms of ID Texas will accept at the polls, it also means that he has no easy way to bring himself to the government office that issues IDs to people in his position. Instead, he spent four hours per round trip, transferring to three different buses along the way. When he arrived, he had to wait up to three hours before he would be seen by someone who could issue him an ID.
Except that he was not issued an ID. On one of his trips, Keenie was told that he needed a copy of his birth certificate in order to obtain the ID. To get that certificate, he had to take another multi-bus trip to an entirely different government office. He also had to pay a $23 dollar fee.
To put that fee into perspective, Keenie earns his living by foraging in peoples garbage to collect cans, bottles and metal for recycling, according to Pilkington. The $23 fee is more than he earns in a typical day. It should also be noted that making an otherwise eligible voters right to vote contingent upon their ability to pay a fee is unconstitutional. The 24th Amendment provides that [t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Hangingon
(3,071 posts)The elderly gentleman went to a great deal of trouble and deserved better. He did not need a birth certificate. His expired drivers license would have benn sufficient.
ashling
(25,771 posts)but according to this most recent SOTUS approved voter suppression law, a DL expired for more than 60 days is not good enough.
ashling
(25,771 posts)or even logic. We are dealing with the most draconian voter id law in the nation put and kept in place by the Grand Old Voter Suppression Party. The GOP in Texas are the same folks that don't want high school teachers to teach any "higher order thinking" skills
Hangingon
(3,071 posts)That the judge didn't do that is very suspicious to me. I don't believe the article.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)On one hand people call those that don't vote, stupid, and on the other hand we make if very difficult to vote.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)It's so weird how people are arguing that the 93 year old should just pop into DMV for a new license...or something.
Hey to ya'all that think it's so easy...haul your ASSES down there and help him!
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)There I fixed it so we can all see it's a poll tax.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Again, I always thought voter cards should have a picture to fix all of this. If you can get a picture ID for a week long cruise ship or a picture ID card for SAMs club. We should be able to figure a way to have an ID card with picture for voting.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)But REQUIRING it for voting makes it a poll tax.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Nothing extreme or imaginary about it.
You prove who you are when you register. Fraud is not a problem.
What other reason to make someone pay for something not really needed than to keep people from the polls.
A POLL TAX.... right from Jim Crow.
Get a clue and stop apologizing for ridiculous voter suppression tactics.... if you're a liberal.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)For one thing complaining gets us nowhere. The law has been known for awhile. Voting is important and you do what it takes to vote no matter what. I had to get a birth certificate for over a hundred dollars which sucked but you do what is needed to get it done. No excuses. That is the problem. Complaining does not win elections. You do what is needed and then get them changed after the election. If Wendy were to lose by 1 vote, complaining about the system got us nowhere. Get the ID and vote! That is the answer if we want to win. If you want to lose, not follow the law and comain well that is certainly an option as well.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)But it's still a poll tax! And should be framed as one.... so we can get rid of it.
P.S. What if you don't have the money for a birth certificate? Not everyone who votes has $100 to spend....
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)The hundred I didn't really have to spend either, but just did. I could have driven to New York to get it, but was surprised that I could get it online.
Jerry442
(1,265 posts)...but the purpose of the law is to force people to jump through hoops to vote so as to change the outcome of elections and that's wrong. What's next? You have to go to a doctor to get your DNA tested to prove you're human? I mean, it would be really unfair if bears voted. Not that anyone has ever seen a bear vote, but y'know, it could happen.
On edit: Especially if there was a referendum on the Right to Arm Bears.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)a more stringent law? Requiring ID is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Next you will find that the ID's will be rejected if the polling person doesn't THINK you look like your picture.
WE DON'T NEED MORE THINGS TO DISCOURAGE VOTING.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)One can avoid using ID at all by not signing up for cruises or SAMs club without giving up a constitutional right.
ashling
(25,771 posts)the hoops you have to jump through to get it often come at a price
for that reason it is a poll tax
The poll tax in 1964 was $1.75 it can cost as much as $45 to get a official copy of a birth certificate.
progressoid
(49,999 posts)Malraiders
(444 posts)TexasProgresive
(12,158 posts)and no ID was required. They do this for those over 65. I really don't understand.
tartan2
(314 posts)olegramps
(8,200 posts)The country has gone to hell in a hand basket. The Republican Supreme Court judges are nothing more than Republican Party demagogues and corporate boot licking shills. Its time for massive demonstrations and civil disobedience. When a veteran is denied the right to vote I can only conclude that the Republic is in its last days before it becomes a full blown oligarchy.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)Diclotican
(5,095 posts)ashling
Last time I vote - I had just to show my bank-card who have my name - my birthday and social security number - and the picture of me who is a few years back to be honest - but still valid....
But then - I am not living in the US - and most pepole in the country I live - have a bank-card or other type of ID documents... Like your driving lisence and so one...
I wonder what the old man was thinking when he was told "sorry you can not vote" - was it worth fighting the germans in World War Two... when you are refused to even vote in your own country... ?
Diclotican
olegramps
(8,200 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Diclotican
(5,095 posts)olegramps
It must be brutal - to have risk your life - and your future for your country - and even then - after all the sacrifices - the loss of friends in wars - you come home to your own country - you are refused to even elect your own government.... Specially the ones who once fight he nazis - and did their service in the cold war after world war two - against the "evil" communists - now they are denied the right to elect their own government - What was it all about back in the days ?
The US claim to be one of the most democratic countries in the world - but from my view of sight - on the outside of the US - it looks like the US have taken some great step in the wrong direction the last decade or so - it started with the election of Jr - and then it have just going one way - down.....
Diclotican
olegramps
(8,200 posts)His mantra that government was the problem was pure propaganda that the gullible swallowed. It continues to get traction with a large segment of the population.
Diclotican
(5,095 posts)olegramps
It could be - I'm afraid I was just a little kid when Reagan was in office - even though I do remember my foster parents was rather vivid about that fellow - because he was playing a game who could have ended in world war tree - he was nuts.... But compared todays republicans - still somewhat sane...
And he was indeed telling the story that the government was the problem to all problems in the US - and that poison have also been brewing all over the world ever since - even though I do believe that for the most part people understand the need of having a government...
Diclotican
lobodons
(1,290 posts)List of disenfranchised voters needs to be compiled and sent to SCOTUS. The SCOTUS 5 should be ashamed at themselves.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)first and my guess is there isn't one big enough to share between the five of them.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)clearly a poll tax
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)But that's Republicans fer ya. Treasonous assholes, one and all.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)and should be abolished.
I also have a question. Here in NY State we can get a non-operater photo I.D. issued from the state department of motor vehicles. For official identification purposes it's accepted the same as a driver's license. I used to have one because I didn't get my driver's license until I was 32, due to phobia. Don't other states have this option?
Wanted to add I don't think this man or anyone else should be required to show ID to vote, just wondering if you can get an ID card without actually being a driver? If you can't that's more discrimination, because if you can't pass a driver's test or fail the eye exam does that mean you can't get any sort of officially recognized ID?
Gothmog
(145,558 posts)HoosierCowboy
(561 posts)...that the vet was a dyed in the wool Republican?
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)the right will lose alot of votes on the 4th how do I know this 93 yr old was gonna vote left or right. I don't and I don't need to know. but usually the older one gets the more right headed they are.
samsingh
(17,601 posts)turbinetree
(24,720 posts)Lets lay this at the feet of the U.S. Supreme right wingnut majority court,
NCjack
(10,279 posts)After 9/11, I needed to open a bank account in Rapid City, requiring two govt issued photo IDs. The only photo IDs I had were an in-state drivers license and an expired US passport. The bank accepted the expired passport, saving the expiration posed no problem. It was obviously a valid-issued passport and the photo was of me. The incompetent Texas judge should have figured that out.
ashling
(25,771 posts)of what they feel would be fair or logical. Unfortunately, that is neither here nor there
the Texas Law requires a photo id (except for a citezenship id) to be valid or at least have expired no more than 60 days
from Texas Secretary of State website:
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 for voter qualification at the polling place
Don't blame or dis the election judge - blame the Texas GOP and Gregg fucking Abbott!
The Wizard
(12,547 posts)should be impeached for corrupting democracy and destroying the very foundation upon which this nation was founded. Free and fair elections are the basis of self rule. How do we have the nerve to send troops to foreign nations to impose our brand of government at gunpoint? Now the Court has essentially done the same thing here. Voter suppression is a severe miscalculation that will come back to bludgeon the fascist movement. It could come down to pitchforks torches and rope. Let's hope America comes to its senses before it's too late.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)How many states have changed the rules on applying for a driver's license? Last year I had to renew my license and I was required to bring my birth certificate and social security card with me, even though I've had a valid license since I was 18, and I'm old now. I was lucky. I have a copy of my birth certificate. What if I didn't, and I had trouble getting one from the hospital where I was born (clear across the country)? At least the license renewal letter that came in the mail advised me of this change, so I had a little time to fix a problem if I had one.
This is intended to keep non-citizens (you know, those nasty illegal aliens) from getting a driver's license. We are voting this November to change this...to open up driver's licenses to anyone who is legally here, even if not a citizen. I hope it also changes that requirement for license renewal. I, for one, would like to see everyone driving on the road, complying with the driver's license and insurance requirements. Even if they are illegal. It's a lot safer for me if they are licensed and have insurance, than if they are driving (out of necessity) without.
It was kind of insulting and embarrassing to have to prove my citizenship. And a lot of older people may not have a copy of their birth certificate...and may not even know how to get one.
PADemD
(4,482 posts)its in the op
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)And one of the measures is to stop this practice of requiring legal US residence for a driver's license. I sure hope enough people were pissed off this past year or so by having to bring their birth certificate for a DL that we get this passed NOW!
FlaGranny
(8,361 posts)but I thought that all states would be doing this for drivers licenses because of a Federal law. I really am not sure about that. But, be glad you are not a woman married more than once. You need to have proof of how you wound up with your present name: birth certificate, and marriage license, and divorce papers or death certificate for each marriage, which may have taken place in different states. In addition to that, you need proof that you live where you say you do in the form of utility or other bills - most of which are in the husband's name and do not count for the wife. Unless the woman has saved all these original documents, each state has to be contacted for certified copies of each document, for which fees may be around $25 each.
Ladies in states where this is required - be prepared or you will also be turned away from the voting booth. I went through this 3 years ago. Pity the elderly multiply married woman who has not kept her documents and has lived in different states. Most will probably give up for either logistical or financial reasons (may cost hundreds of dollars).
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)d_legendary1
(2,586 posts)That's Texas in a nutshell and I live in Florida (apologies for Rick Scott I didn't vote for him).
HoosierCowboy
(561 posts)Medical Marijuana Patient card in Nevada as ID to vote, and it worked!
killerbean
(2 posts)One post asked whether the 93 year old veteran was white or not...yes, he was in fact white. But, as we all know this is a moot point. As a veteran myself, I take this as a personal affront. The voter ID laws are nothing but a nefarious plan to steal elections for the vile cheaters of the republican party. Eric Holder need s to bring lawsuits in Texas, Georgia (where 40,00 voter registration forms mysteriously disappeared) and all other states that are breaking the law by imposing voter suppression.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,702 posts)Your remarks are spot on!
I wish Holder would get off the dime on this issue as well. It's a mess.