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| Texas was among eight states that passed such voter ID laws last yearPerez noted that state data showed nearly 800,000 people lacked driver's licenses and personal identification cards issued by the state Department of Public Safety, two key forms of identification required under the new law.
By: burberry handbags outlet "Hispanics disproportionately lack either a driver's license or a personal identification card," Assistant Atty. Gen. Thomas E. Perez, head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, wrote in a letter to Keith Ingram, director of elections for the Texas secretary of state. Perez noted that state data showed nearly 800,000 people lacked driver's licenses and personal identification cards issued by the state Department of Public Safety, two key forms of identification required under the new law. More than 38% of those lacking the ID were Latino, he noted. "According to the state's own data, a Hispanic registered voter is at least 46.5%, and potentially 120% more likely than a non-Hispanic registered voter to lack this identification," Texas was among eight states that passed such voter ID laws last year. A judge blocked a similar law Monday in Wisconsin, and the Justice Department halted another in South Carolina in December. In Pennsylvania on Monday, the Republican-controlled House debated a photo ID measure that, if approved, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett was expected to sign. This year, the Republican-controlled Virginia Legislature passed a voter ID measure, which Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is expected to sign. But because of past voting rights violations in 16 states or portions of states, certain jurisdictions — including Texas — must first obtain "preclearance," Under the Texas voter ID law, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry, voters must present one of seven forms of state or federally issued photo ID at the polls, including handgun permits. Those without the required ID may receive a provisional ballot, but it will only be counted if they return and present an approved ID within six days of the election, according to the Texas secretary of state's website. As a result of the Justice Department's opposition, the voter ID law will not be in effect during the May 29 primary election, according to a statement from Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade. Critics, including NAACP and ACLU leaders, say the law would make it more difficult for minority Texas voters to cast ballots, particularly low-income voters. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. has been an outspoken critic of the Texas law. Speaking in December at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum in Austin, Holder said that the voter ID law "goes against the arc of history." Supporters of the law, including Perry, vowed to continue fighting for its enactment, saying it protects against voter fraud. Perry said the Justice Department had "no valid reason" to reject the law, citing it as an example of "pervasive federal overreach." House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, also defended it. "Voter ID laws help ensure the integrity of our elections and protect the rights of lawful voters. If citizens are required to show ID in order to open a bank account, cash a check, drive a car or board a plane, how much more important is it to show ID in order to exercise one of our most valuable democratic rights?" Smith said in a statement Monday. "This is an abuse of executive authority and an affront to the citizens of Texas. It's time for the Obama administration to learn not to mess with Texas." Texas and South Carolina officials have filed suit in federal court to enforce voter ID laws over Justice Department objections. The Justice Department has until April 9 to respond to Texas' lawsuit. http://www.designerburberryoutlet.com http://www.cheapburberryoutlet2012.com http://www.fashiontoy.com http://www.buymyfavorite.com End
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