Voter ID law moves closer to passage

A weakened Texas voter ID law moved closer to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk on Tuesday with the state House approving legislation that waters down an original version that a judge compared to a “poll tax” and ruled had intentionally discriminated against minorities.

The new version doesn’t expand the list of acceptable photo identifications — meaning gun licenses remain sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs. The new version would allow people who lack a required ID to cast a ballot if they sign an affidavit and bring paperwork that shows their name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill.