5th Circuit Court Upholds Texas’ Voter ID Law

Attorney General Ken Paxton today applauded a 2-1 ruling by a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that upholds Texas’ voter ID law…

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today applauded a 2-1 ruling by a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that upholds Texas’ voter ID law.

“The court rightly recognized that when the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5 last session, it complied with every change the 5th Circuit ordered to the original voter ID law,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is essential to preserving our democracy. The revised voter ID law removes any burden on voters who cannot obtain a photo ID.”

Senate Bill 5 allows registered voters without one of the seven state-approved forms of photo identification to cast an in-person ballot by signing a sworn declaration of reasonable impediment stating why they couldn’t obtain photo ID.

In September, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit stayed a lower court decision that blocked Texas from enforcing voter ID, ruling that the state could use its revised law for future elections. In a majority opinion, it concluded at the time that Texas made a strong showing that it would likely prevail in the case.

Attorney General Paxton defended the constitutionality of the law at a hearing before the 5th Circuit on December 5 in New Orleans. Previously, the U.S. Department of Justice said it was satisfied Senate Bill 5 “eradicates any discriminatory effect or intent” and expands voter identification options.

View the the 5th Circuit voter ID ruling here: https://bit.ly/2vSdOpB.