The

Bluebonnet
Newsletter for Texas College Democrats Affiliates
TCD CALLS FOR RESIGNATION WHAT THEYRE HIDING VOTER ID AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU By Political Affairs Director, Amber Hastings While still under review for preclearance by the Department of Justice, Republicans insist the law will go into effect the 1st of January 2012 as scheduled. TCD Political Affairs Director Amber Hastings outlines what exactly the bill would mean for you: There are three options a student can use in order to ensure the ability to vote in the March Primary. First, a student can change their ID to their local address. This would ensure no complications when they get to the polls in March. Second, a student can ensure they are registered at their permanent address and apply for an absentee ballot. There is no voter ID provision for voting by mail, so this is an easy way to circumvent the situation. Finally, a person can take the risk and stay registered locally and have ID at the permanent address. According to the Texas Secretary of State's Elections Office, Senate Bill 14 makes no determination on voter address matching criteria; therefore, there is no matching requirement." Around midday on November 16, Lauren Last May, Governor Perry Pierce, UT College Republicans President and Tex- signed the Voter ID Bill making it as College Republicans Secretary, tweeted: the law of the land, set to go into effect January 1 of 2012. A con"Y'all as tempting as it may be, don't shoot troversial bill that endured 6 years Obama. We need him to go down in history as of legislative battles, the fight may the WORST president we've ever had! #2012." not be over, as the US Department of Justice reviews the bill under While we are accustomed to College Repub- Section 5 of the Voter Rights Act, licans supporting politicians who oppose students' which allows the Federal Governright to vote, and cut financial aid and loans to ment to review and approve or destudents, this level of disrespect to any elected offi- ny voting requirements implecial is unexpected and appalling. mented by the states. It is never acceptable to joke about assassiThe Voter ID Law requires nating an elected official. While one would assume individuals to present state-issued the tragic events in Tucson less than a year ago photo identification in order to would have been enough for our generation to un- vote on a conventional ballot. An derstand that, it appears that the vitriol being estimated 605,500 registered votspewed by National Republican leaders has tar- ers in Texas do not currently posnished the sense of appropriateness of some Col- sess any form of state photo ID. lege Republicans. This would effectively turn over Texas College Democrats encourages Lau- 600,000 voters conventional balren Pierce to resign from her leadership positions lots into provisional ballots, which in the UT College Republicans and Texas College rely on further confirming inforRepublicans. Lastly, UT College Republicans mation days after the election at should look to their counterparts, the University which point candidates usually Democrats, for guidance in how to participate pos- have conceded to an opponent. itively in the political process. The DOJ requested information regarding the ethnic composition of the 605,500, at which the Texas DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRAR Secretary of States Office reAs politically active students, we take it up- sponded with only potentially dison ourselves to see changed and involvement in enfranchised voters of Spanish our nations democratic surname. In a TDP Press Release, process. With the begin- the Deputy Executive Director ning of Texas Wins, it is said this, suggested you become a Deputy Voter Registrar. In doing this, the State entrusts you with the responsibility of officially registering voters. It is an appointed position by county voter registrars and charged with helping increase voter registration in the state. Become a Deputy Registrar and ensure students are able to vote in the election they desire to. To do this, contact your countys Voter Registrar, they will give further instructions.

However, this is a risky move. From most interpretations, local election officials have been granted the ability to determine if there is a difference between the information on the ID that the voter has and the list that the elections officials have. I tried calling the state elections office to see any official opinion regarding moving between counties, or if the above remark regarding matching criteria was applicable to moves within the county, but was not able to speak to a person. Moreover, when I went to vote on election day, I Theyve clearly got something asked my election officials if I would have to to hide. Our bet is that the change my driver's license address: they said yes. state refused to furnish the daThere's a great deal of misinformation beta because it would prove that ing spread regarding voter ID laws in Texas and the Republican voter suppres- we'll be there to keep you informed with the facts. sion legislation violates the Whatever course of action you determine is best Voting Rights Act. for yourself, please do so by February 3, 2012. This is the last day to register to vote based on This is not over yet, and the 30 day provision, as February has 29 days Texas Republicans hide theyre this year and the government offices closed on the suppressive agenda from the jus- weekend interfere with an actual count. tice it awaits under the review process.