Weird.

Attorney General Paxton Statement on Voter ID Ruling

Texas’ Voter ID Law to Remain in Effect

 

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today released the following statement on the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Texas’ Voter ID law:

 

“Today’s ruling was a victory on the fundamental question of Texas’ right to protect the integrity of our elections and the state’s common sense Voter ID law remains in effect. I’m particularly pleased the panel saw through and rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that our law constituted a ‘poll tax.’ The intent of this law is to protect the voting process in Texas, and we will continue to defend this important safeguard for all Texas voters.”

 

Texas has successfully held three statewide elections and numerous local and special elections with the Voter ID law in place – with no disenfranchisement reported.

 

Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller presented arguments on April 28, 2015, on behalf of the State of Texas in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

 

The Texas Legislature enacted Texas’ Voter ID law in 2011 through Senate Bill 14 (SB14), which requires voters to present government-issued photo ID when voting at the polls. The seven acceptable forms of photo ID include the following: a Texas driver’s license, free Texas election identification card (EIC), Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a concealed handgun, U.S. military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate, and U.S. passport.

Because the AG does not acknowledge that the 5th Circuit affirmed the trial court’s finding that the law violates section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the release does not say if the state will seek en banc review, SCOTUS review, or is contemplating either.