I have links and coverage of the voter ID testimonies from Austin today over the controversial voter ID bill. More than a dozen experts testified, including our own Diane Trautman. Her report here, and the TV coverage here. And the Waco Trib has more here.
Diane passionately pleads,
“Elections must be free from fraud and intimidation, as we encourage full participation by every citizen who is eligible to vote. That should not be a Democratic or Republican value. Having taught ethics and leadership classes to young people, I abhor the cynicism bred by fraud and cheating, but I am concerned that proposed Voter ID legislation won’t do a thing to stop fraud, and it could make it harder for many Texans to vote.”
[...]
“Instead of enacting restrictive measures that keep people from voting, let’s bring our elections system up to 21st century standards to make voting both easier and more secure. Taxpayers have a right to expect at least that much from our government.”
Mark Veasey – (D) Fort Worth sums it up well:
“Can you really sleep with yourself knowing that if this bill passed, that most of the people that would be denied the right to vote are going to be black, brown and poor?”
