The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Texas to continue to enforce a law requiring voters to show identification at the polls, a setback for civil rights challengers who said the law could make it difficult for a sizable number of minorities to cast a ballot in November. The court, in a brief written order, declined to disturb a lower-court action that has allowed Texas to use its voter-ID law while litigation over the measure continues, including during its recent primary election in March. The court’s order, which didn’t note any dissents, said the parties could renew their request if lower courts haven’t acted by late July. An appeals court is slated to hear arguments in the case in late May.
A group of challengers to the law, including U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D., Texas) and a Hispanic civil rights organization, have argued the identification requirement should be put on hold during the litigation because Texas would soon begin implementing procedures for the November elections.
Texas has said its law won’t prevent any of the challengers from voting.
The 2011 law, signed by then-Gov. Rick Perry, requires voters to present a state driver’s license, personal identification card or concealed handgun license, a military identification card, or a U.S. passport or citizenship certificate.
Full Article: U.S. Supreme Court Lets Texas Voter ID Law Stand During Appeal – WSJ.