Justice Department Blocks Texas' "Modern Day Poll Tax"

The U.S. Justice Department believes Texas' new voter identification laws may be discriminatory. Because Texas is a state with a history of voter discrimination, section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires the state to get advance approval of changes to its voting laws. Either the Justice Department or the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC must approve changes before they become law in the Lone Star State.

There is reason to believe that this Texas ID law will create a discriminatory barrier for Hispanic citizens who lack highly specific forms of ID. SBW cautioned its reader about voting barriers previously.

Read more about the Texas case here.

All federal IDs are not created equally. In Texas, a student ID issued by a state university is not sufficient to allow American citizens to vote. And in New York, no one is required to present an ID prior to voting.

Texas is not the only state trying to pass a Modern Day Poll Tax. A total of 23 states have increased voter registration restrictions and many believe these new laws will lead to voter suppression, poll watcher fraud, minority disenfranchisement, and most importantly, the silencing of eligible voters.

Click here to watch a video to watch a discussion about voter ID laws.