Reyes Statement on the Passage of Texas Voter ID Law

Statement

Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX-16) released the following statement today on the enactment of state legislation that creates new voting rules that will disproportionately harm minority voters:

"Despite dismal voter turnout, particularly in Texas border counties, today's enactment of new voting rules by Governor Perry creates additional hurdles that will discourage voter participation. This harmful legislation is nothing more than a shameful attempt to silence the growing voice of minorities in our state, particularly Hispanic voters. While similar laws have been passed in other states, Texas is a minority-majority state, and these new voting rules will have a disproportionate impact on poor and minority voters. The fact that mail-in balloting is more susceptible to potential fraud and is not addressed in this legislation, is a clear indication that the Governor's motive to 'secure the integrity of the ballot box' is disingenuous.

"With Governor Perry's attempts to use local police to enforce federal immigration laws, his efforts to add more hurdles at the voting booth, his continued fear-mongering attacks on Texas's border communities that harm our ability to attract business and tourism, and his party's efforts to dilute minority representation through redistricting, one thing is certain - he leaves behind the most anti-Hispanic legacy in our state's history."

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