WASHINGTON —
For the second time this week, a federal court here has blocked a Texas election law as discriminatory under the Voting Rights Act.
A three-judge federal court said Texas may not enforce its strict voter identification law, ruling it would discriminate against poor and minority voters and have the effect of barring them from voting.
The judges said the new law would require tens of thousands of registered Texas voters who are poor and do not drive cars to travel to a state motor vehicle office in hopes of obtaining the required state photo ID card. And one-third of Texas counties do not have a Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, they noted.
“Even the most committed citizen, we think, would agree that a 200- to 250-mile round trip - especially for would-be voters having no driver’s license - constitutes a substantial burden on the right to vote,” said Judge David Tatel in unanimous opinion.
He noted that about 13 percent of the state’s black voters, and 7 percent of its Latinos, do not have an automobile in the household. And the state drivers’ license offices are not open on weekends.
“Poorer citizens, especially those working for hourly wages, will likely be less able to take time off work to travel to a DPS office,” Tatel said. “A law that forces poorer citizens to choose between their wages and their franchise unquestionably denies or abridges the right to vote.”
The ruling is the first during the Obama administration by a federal court holding that a strict voter identification law violates the Voting Rights Act.
On Tuesday, a separate federal court panel struck down the new map of Texas congressional and legislative districts drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature, ruling they diluted the voting power of Latinos and blacks.
Because Texas has a history of racial discrimination in voting, it is required under the Voting Rights Act to obtain advance approval from Washington before making changes in its election law.
Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott said the latest decision “is wrong on the law and improperly prevents Texas from implementing the same types of ballot integrity standards” that have been used in other states. He promised an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, adding “we are confident that we will prevail.”
National News
Related Photos
-
nationalnews.jpg
Discussion
Federal court strikes down Texas voter identification law
- National News
-
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
Utah man shot in church upgraded to fair condition
It was a quiet part of the Father’s Day Mass as about 300 people stood up in preparation for communion.
-
Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
-
House committee takes up tough immigration bill
A key committee in the Republican-led House moved Tuesday toward approving a tough enforcement-focused immigration bill, over objections from Democrats and disruptions from protesters shouting “Shame, shame, shame!”
-
Hitchhiking cat ’Mata Hairi’ headed home to Oregon
A well-traveled cat named “Mata Hairi” will soon be reunited with her owner after spending nearly 10 months traveling thousands of miles with a hitchhiker who rescued her from the rain.
-
For young immigrants, a delayed coming of age
As a child, Jorge Tume used to sit and do homework as his parents cleaned the desks and floors of a concrete company in Miami. When he was done, he’d take out the trash and help finish cleaning.
-
Court: Arizona citizenship proof law illegal
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot on their own require would-be voters to prove they are U.S. citizens before using a federal registration system designed to make signing up easier.
-
Fracking fuels water fights in nation’s dry spots
The latest domestic energy boom is sweeping through some of the nation’s driest pockets, drawing millions of gallons of water to unlock oil and gas reserves from beneath the Earth’s surface.
-
Ten more homes destroyed in Colorado wildfire
Firefighters were finally gaining some ground Friday on a wildfire in which two people were killed as they tried to escape and 389 homes were destroyed.
-
House passes sweeping $638 billion defense bill
The House overwhelmingly passed a sweeping, $638 billion defense bill on Friday that imposes new punishments on members of the armed services found guilty of rape or sexual assault as outrage over the crisis in the military has galvanized Congress.
- More National News Headlines
-
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
