Texans Want Safe Elections!

Please join me in the non-partisan push for Secure Elections: Making sure that Texans who vote have the right to vote and making sure that Texans who have the right to vote are able to vote.

Voter Photo Identification Fact Sheet

S.B. 362 Prevents Fraud in Texas Elections [passed the Senate...NOW the push is for the House Bill 125 to get a hearing in the Elections Committee]

Texans expect and deserve secure and fair elections that ensure eligible voters cast only one ballot and that every person eligible to vote is not overly burdened by the voting process. And a critical means is to secure and fair elections in Texas by requiring a photo ID to vote.

Why Texas Needs Voter Photo ID Legislation:
 The Attorney General’s office has received over 50 cases of voter fraud since 2004.
 Voter fraud is difficult to detect and prove under current laws.
 Requiring voter photo ID is a proven way to deter ineligible voters from casting a ballot and will help to
catch and prosecute those who fraudulently vote.
 Texas currently does not require a potential voter to verify their identity at the polls – a would-be voter
only has to show a voter registration card.

Most Comprehensive Voter Photo ID States Saw Increased Voter Turnout in 2008:
 Georgia experienced record-setting voter turnout in the 2008 election.
- Overall turnout increased 6.7 percent; Democratic turnout increased 6.1 percent
 Indiana has the most comprehensive voter ID law.
- Overall voter turnout was the fifth highest in the country; Democratic turnout increased 8.32 percent
 Comparable states without voter photo ID had markedly lower turnout increases.
Texans Strongly Support Voter Photo ID:
 88 percent of likely Texas voters – 95 percent of Republicans and 80 percent of Democrats agree voters
should be required to have photo ID to vote. (October ‘08 Rasmussen survey)
 73 percent of Caucasians, 68 percent of African Americans, and 65 percent of Hispanics agree Texas
voters should be required to show a photo ID to vote. (July ‘08 Texas Politics Project, Univ. of Texas)

VOTER ID BILL [Senate Bill 362 and House Bill 125] will help to prevent voter fraud in Texas:
 Modeled on Indiana’s voter photo ID law which was upheld 6-3 by the U.S. Supreme Court, including
liberal-leaning Justices John Paul Stevens and Anthony M. Kennedy.
 Common sense solution that allows a voter to show two, readily available, non-photo documents if they
do not have a photo ID, and balances the need for security in the voting process with minimal burden.
 Deters people from misrepresenting their identity or fraudulently voting with someone else’s
registration card.
Prepared by Secure and Fair Elections Texas (SAFETexas@SAFETexas.org) 815A Brazos St. #417, Austin, Texas 78701