Houston Chronicle Sunday

Voter ID in Texas Real experience

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Regarding ”Voter-fraud scams” editorial (Page A14, Thursday), my husband, born and raised in Houston 77 years ago, was denied a vote this year.

He arrived at Bayland Park to cast his vote in a runoff election and discovered that he did not have his driver’s license with him. His name and address were on the voting list; he was holding his voter-registrati­on card; he had a wallet full of cards showing his name, including his Medicare card but was told that without a picture ID, he could not vote. Never mind that they were looking at him and we have lived at the same address for 33 years. Luckily, he had time enough to return with his picture ID.

This voter ID law is doing what it was meant to do — to make it difficult for people to vote. In a democracy, our leaders should be ashamed of themselves.

Delia C. Cowles, Houston

Just get it

There are published reports just like this editorial that have detailed voter fraud, some of which starts with voter registrati­on and ends with voter photo IDs. What is so hard to realize is the following: someone sends in a registrati­on request for someone who has died; the voter registrati­on is received; a write-in ballot is requested, and voila! an illegal vote is cast.

And, as far as Gov. Greg Abbott fighting the voter ID law changes, Article 1, Section 4 of the U.S. Constituti­on states: “The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representa­tives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislatur­e thereof.”

Recognizin­g that the next statement, “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulation­s ...,” it should still be the state’s right to regulate the voting procedure and the requiremen­ts thereof.

And, many have written this: It takes a photo ID to buy a beer, to drive a car, to board an airplane, to cash a check, to enroll in school. But, for some reason some think it is a big discomfort to “poor” people — who somehow can afford everything else that requires a picture ID — to be required to have one in order to vote!

Lawrence Keen, Pearland

 ?? Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle ?? Voters did not turn out in droves for the Democratic and Republican primary runoff elections at the Metropolit­an Multi-Services Center on May 24.
Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle Voters did not turn out in droves for the Democratic and Republican primary runoff elections at the Metropolit­an Multi-Services Center on May 24.

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