Smith: Don't Mess With Texas Voter ID Law

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today criticized the Obama administration’s decision to challenge Texas’ voter ID law. 

Chairman Smith:  “Today’s decision by the Justice Department to challenge Texas’ voter ID law is another example of the Obama administration’s abuse of executive authority. The people of Texas overwhelmingly supported the State’s law to require individuals to show official identification documentation, like a driver’s license or passport, before being allowed to vote.

“The foundation of our democracy rests on secure and fair elections.  Unfortunately, voter fraud undermines the electoral process and can sway the ultimate outcome of elections. Illegal votes negate the votes of legal voters. Voter ID laws help ensure the integrity of our elections and protect the rights of lawful voters.  If citizens are required to show ID in order to open a bank account, cash a check, drive a car or board a plane, how much more important is it to show ID in order to exercise one of our most valuable democratic rights?

“The Texas voter ID law is based off of the Indiana law, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.  This is an abuse of executive authority and an affront to the citizens of Texas. It’s time for the Obama administration to learn not to mess with Texas.”