Arr, a scurvy federal judge hath crossed swords with Congress, scuttlin' Texas' grand election reform!
2023-09-01
Avast ye! Judge Xavier Rodriguez be defyin' all Congress and the federal law, he be tossin' out the ID needin' part o' Texas' election law fer absentee ballots. Blimey, a true rebel in the land o' justice!
In a humorous tone reminiscent of a 17th-century pirate, the article discusses a federal judge in Texas who has defied Congress and federal law by throwing out an ID requirement for absentee ballots. The author points out that absentee ballots have always been the least secure method of voting, as they are voted outside the supervision of election officials and observers. Texas had implemented a requirement for voters applying for an absentee ballot to provide their driver's license or other identification numbers. However, the judge declared that this requirement violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964.The author argues that the judge's conclusion is wrong and goes against federal law and the intent of Congress. They highlight that in 2002, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act, which requires voter registration applications to include driver's license or social security numbers. The states are also required to use these numbers to verify the accuracy of voter information. Therefore, the ID information that the judge claims is not material is, in fact, crucial for state election officials to determine the validity of absentee ballot applications.
The author criticizes the judge for disregarding the Help America Vote Act and asserts that Texas is within its rights to require this information as a necessary prerequisite for voting. They emphasize that the judge has no authority to question what information a state can require from voters.
While the judge's ruling on this particular provision may be overturned on appeal, there will be a trial on other provisions of Texas election law that have been challenged. The author concludes that if Texas appeals, they should easily get a reversal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.