May 23, 2017      4:50 PM

After it was rushed through the Senate, thoughtful voter ID debate unfolds in the Texas House

Substantive changes made: Rep. Joe Moody attached an amendment lowering it from a felony to a misdemeanor for a voter to make an incorrect declaration about why they lack accepted ID

The Texas House on Tuesday afternoon began its debate on changes to the state’s voter identification laws, deemed discriminatory in court and now designated a last-minute emergency item by Gov. Greg Abbott. 

Among other things, the legislation at hand, Senate Bill 5, lets people who don’t have an approved method if ID vote, if they sign a “declaration of impediment.” There are seven reasons people could use the declaration of impediment. Among them, lack of transportation, work schedules and family responsibilities.

“I can’t think of any other situation that anyone would have that those 7 reasons for impediment cannot allow them to vote,” said Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who is carrying the bill in the House.

By Eleanor Dearman

Copyright May 23, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved