July 11, 2012
The focus is on a federal court in Washington, D.C. where a three-judge panel is hearing a case that will have significant repercussions in the upcoming election in November.
At issue: A Texas law that requires voters to provide identification when they vote in an election. President Obama's Justice Department is challenging the measure and it is now before a federal court in Washington.
Critics claim the voter ID law is burdensome and disenfranchises voters. Ridiculous. Voting is a privilege. There's nothing wrong or unconstitutional requiring those who vote to show an ID. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of states to require identification cards in a 2008 Indiana case.
Texas is well within its rights to identify voters who want to cast a ballot. There is voter fraud. It is a problem. And the truth is that even a small amount of voter fraud can affect the outcome of close elections.
And, as I told Megyn Kelly on FOX News today, the DOJ has no legal authority to block the state from implementing its voter ID law.
Texas Congressman Ted Poe put this into the proper perspective: "Instead of attacking Texas for enforcing the law, the Department of Justice should learn from the Lone Star State and focus its resources on protecting the integrity of the electoral system nationwide."
Nationwide, there are 31 states that require voters to show identification at the polls, including 15 that require photo identification.
The trial concerning the Texas voter ID law is expected to last most of the week. A decision by the three-judge panel could come before the end of August.
