How Texas’ voter ID law landed it in federal court _ again

The study’s lead author, Rice University political scientist Mark Jones, largely blamed the state for anemic and ineffective efforts to educate voters on the complicated new law. They would also have to sign a declaration to that effect.

In a 9-6 ruling in July, the federal appeals court ruled that Texas’ ID law, known as Senate Bill 14, violated the federal Voting Rights Act because black and Latino potential voters were less likely than others to possess ID from the narrowly drawn list of what’s acceptable at the polls. Part of that order requires the state to spend $2.5 million informing voters of the changes.

Texas must now tell residents who can’t obtain an ID due to a “reasonable impediment” that they can still vote by signing an affidavit.

But U.S. Department of Justice and voting rights groups this month complained to Ramos that Texas was flouting the order by making misleading statements in the press or publishing promotional materials that mischaracterized the language in Ramos’ order.

Marc Rylander, a spokesman for Paxton, defended the state’s previous wording, which said only those with a government-issued ID or those who “have not obtained” such identification could vote. Under the new rules hashed out in court, people without acceptable ID can still vote if they sign an affidavit certifying they’re a US citizen and present some proof of residence, like as a utility bill a bank statement.

“Our office still maintains the common-sense measures in Texas voter ID law are valid”, Rylander said.

In response to these accusations, Ramos on Tuesday ordered Texas to reissue any press releases about her August order to indicate the precise language about the relaxed rules for voter ID, as well as to edit accordingly the posters to be used at polling stations on Election Day.

Ed Espinoza, executive director of Progress Texas, said his organization had created the non-partisan GoVoteTexas.org website “to help every Texan learn how easy it is to vote”. Ramos also ordered the state to share copies any future documents and scripts for radio and TV ads with the Justice Department and the groups that sued the state. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has said that after the election, he plans to appeal the 5th Circuit Court’s voter ID ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Voters are receiving inaccurate or misleading information that suggests they will not be able to cast ballots that count in November”. And even if that doesn’t work, Republicans like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have already vowed to revive the issue and pass new voter ID restrictions when the legislature goes back into session next year.