Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott insisted on Thursday that the state’s voter ID law has not adversely affected turnout, a day before testimony in a federal court case challenging the legislation is slated to end. “There is absolutely zero proof, zero proof, that there is any suppression of the vote whatsoever because of voter ID laws,” Abbott, the favorite to win November’s gubernatorial race, told the Houston Chronicle’s editorial board. The 2011 law, which took effect the following year, requires voters to show one of seven kinds of photo ID in order to vote, with or without a voter registration card. It was initially blocked after a federal court ruled that it discriminated against minorities.
However, in 2012, the Supreme Court struck down the portion of the federal voting rights act that requires states with a history of discrimination to seek approval from the federal government before changing legislation dealing with elections.
The Justice Department, voting rights and minority groups came together, filing a federal lawsuit against the state, claiming that the voter ID law does in fact discriminate against minorities and suppresses voter turnout.
Abbott’s office is arguing against the suit in the case. The trial began about two weeks ago before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi.
Full Article: Abbott defends Texas voter ID law – Houston Chronicle.