The same day the House gave final approval to a bill requiring Texans to show at least one form of identification before voting, Senate Democrats said they have the support to block the bill in
their chamber.

The House approved the bill 78-67 Tuesday.

The measure, by Rep. Mary Denny, R-Flower Mound, would require Texans to show photo ID before voting or show two other types of identification, such as a birth certificate, concealed handgun license, library card or utility bill.

Eleven Senate Democrats signed a petition opposing the measure.

Senate rules require that two-thirds of the 31-member Senate must vote to allow debate on a bill, so the 11 Democrats opposing it would be enough to block the bill from getting a debate.

Sen. Rodney Ellis said legislators in Arizona, California, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin have filed, considered or passed similar bills this year.

"In state after state, they've rationalized it by saying that photo ID's are required to rent a movie, so why not to vote," Ellis said.

"I'll tell you why, because renting a movie isn't the first fundamental right of our democracy. Voting is."

TEXAS LEGISLATURE

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CENTRAL TEXAS STATE SENATORS:

Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor
(State Sen. District 22 includes: Bosque, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Hill, Hood, Johnson, McLennan, Navarro, Somervell Counties)
Click Here For Averitt Senate Web Site

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay
(State Sen. District 24 includes: Bell, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Gillespie, Hamilton, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, McCulloch, Mason, Menard, Mills, San Saba, Taylor Counties)
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Sen. Steve Odgen, R-Bryan
(State Sen. District 5 includes: Brazos, Burleson, Freestone, Grimes, Houston, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Trinity, Walker, Williamson Counties)
Click Here For Ogden Senate Web Site

CENTRAL TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana
(State Rep. District 8 includes: Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, Navarro Counties)
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State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie
(State Rep. District 10 includes: Hill, Ellis Counties)
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State Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown
(State Rep. District 20 includes: Milam, Williamson-part, Counties)
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State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville
(State Rep. District 53 includes: Callahan, Coleman, Concho, Crockett, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, McCulloch, Mason, Menard, Real, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton Counties)
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Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R-Lampasas
(State Rep. District 54 includes: Bell-part, Burnet, Lampasas Counties)
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Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple
(State Rep. District 55 includes: Bell-part County)
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Rep. Charles Anderson, R-Waco
(State Rep. District 56 includes: McLennan-part County)
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Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco
(State Rep. District 57 includes: Falls, Leon, McLennan-part, Madison, Robertson Counties)
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Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson
(State Rep. District 58 includes: Bosque, Johnson Counties)
Click Here For Orr House Web Site

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville
(State Rep. District 59 includes: Comanche, Coryell, Erath, Hamilton, Mills, Somervell Counties)
Click Here For Miller House Web Site