Texas Voter ID vs. Mexico Voter ID

The Texas Voter ID bill has officially been passed. One of the main supporters of the bill was Rep. Jose, Aliseda. According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, upon being interviewed about his support, Aliseda repeatedly noted that Mexico requires voters to present a government ID that features biometric data.

The voter ID cards used in Mexico contain multiple fingerprints, and include a face/photo and iris scan. Information is stored on a magnetic strip on the card. These cards were created in hopes to increase security at the borders. Every citizen must be scanned and enrolled in this program. Previously, Mexican citizens used voter ID cards as a form of identification. The old voter ID cards contained a photo, signature, and one fingerprint.

            Even though Aliseda brings up a solid argument about Mexico’s strict voter ID cards, the reason Mexico decided to use these is different than Texas’ reason. The promoters of the Texas Voter ID bill are trying to stop voter fraud, while Mexico is trying to stop violence. In 2009, the Mexican government was faced with the prospect of civil war due to border violence. After that occurrence, the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, and the Mexican government sought to change the identification cards. The government hoped the “ID will help combat illegal immigration and reduce the presence of undocumented workers, privacy advocates see things differently” (Biometric National ID card for Mexico). I believe that Aliseda’s argument was interesting regarding Mexico but the facts are too different to compare the two locations.

-Charli Henderson

Picture from http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7490180896157785456

 

Sources:
http://www.biometricsadvisor.com/index.php/2009/07/159/
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/24/2131505/voter-id-bill-passes-in-texas.html#ixzz1Jck6LUli

Voter ID Bill Over the Past Decade

The Texas Voter ID bill has been stalled as of March 22^nd. The Democrats fighting against the bill were able to buy more time for debate after pointing out an error in the bill. Representative Rafael Anchia challenged a provision in the bill that would allow voters without a photo ID to cast a provisional ballot if they product an acceptable photo ID within six days. Anchia wanted the clarification on whether those six days are calendar or business days (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/22/texas-voter-id-temporarily-derailed-clerical-error/).

            Over the past decade, the voter identification issue has been an issue around the United States. The following is a listing of the states over the past decades that have adopted a voter identification bill. The National Conference of State Legislatures provides this list.

•                2003:  New voter ID laws were passed in Alabama, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota

•                2005:  New voter ID laws were passed in Indiana, New Mexico and Washington; Georgia tightened an existing voter ID law to require photo ID

•                2006:  New voter ID law passed in Ohio; Georgia passed a law providing for the issuance of voter ID cards at no cost to registered voters who do not have a driver's license or state-issued ID card; Missouri tightened an existing voter ID law to require photo ID

•                2008:  New Mexico relaxed an existing voter ID law, and now allows a voter to satisfy the ID requirement by stating his/her name, address as registered, and year of birth

•                2009:  New voter ID law passed in Utah

•                2010:  New voter ID law passed in Idaho; Oklahoma voters approved a voter ID proposal placed on the ballot by the Legislature

            The increase in Republications in the 2010 elections has contributed to the proposed voter ID bills in Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Texas.

Voter ID Bill Passed by the Senate

The Senate has passed the Texas Voter ID Bill. This is the first major Republican legislative victory of 2011. “The measure was approved 19-11, with all Republicans backing it and all but one absent Democrat voting no,” (Houston and Texas News). Perry had already given this bill fast- track status. A last minute change that both sides agreed on for the bill was allowing a concealed weapons permit to be valid for voter identification. The new voter ID bill will cost the state about $2 million to pay for the necessary announcements. Democrats had argued that this cost is unnecessary when Texas is already working on the state’s debt.

         The voter ID bill will negatively affect minorities, the elderly, and the disabled, according to the Democrats. This bill could directly affect an elderly person who may have an expired drivers license. Elderly fall into the category of the ‘Silent Generation’ that contained many leaders in the civil rights movement who are full of opinions. The elderly citizen may have no need for a driver’s license because they no longer drive a vehicle. Now as they approach the voter poles, the elderly citizen will no longer be able to give their opinion and vote on issues such as Medicare that may directly affect them.

         The bill will now move to the state House.

Photo: Jay Janner/The Associated Press

Sen. Troy Fraser (center) and Sen. Tommy Williams (right) talk to Sen. Robert Duncan during debate on Senate Bill 14, the voter ID bill, in the Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Austin on Tuesday.

Reference:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7399652.html
-Charli Henderson

Voter ID Bill

It is common knowledge that around the United States getting Americans to the polls is not always the easiest quest. In the last presidential election, television station MTV even launched a campaign called Rock the Vote to encourage young adults to speak out. A bill that is in process in the 2011 Texas Legislature is one that would require a photo ID in order to vote. If this bill passes, a driver’s license, a state ID card, a military ID, a passport or citizenship ID must be shown when casting a vote. Texans over 70 years old will be exempted. Rep. Ric Killian said, “They’re looking to ensure the validity of their own vote.” This bill would allow for better regulation to ensure that the person voting is qualified to vote and only votes once.

Even though voting fraud is an issue and needs to be addressed, Senate Democrats believe that the voter ID bill is “too harsh and one that will make it more difficult for many Texans to vote.” Those without a photo ID could be discouraged from voting, which will hurt the already low voter- turnout numbers. Bob Hall, executive director of Democracy North Carolina believes the Republicans have other motives than just regulating vote counts. He believes this bill would affect specifically the voters who do not have a current ID including minorities, students, people with disabilities, and poor voters. Nine states now demand a photo ID, and 18 others require some form of identification to vote.

Image used from NBC 17 with link below.












Sources of information

http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2011/jan/30/2/nc-gop-legislators-addressing-voter-id-concerns-ar-739275/


http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110122/ARTICLES/110129911/1155?Title=N-C-GOP-will-move-fast-on-quick-hit-list-
-Charli Henderson