(April 29, 2008)—Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst hailed a Supreme Court ruling that approves states' efforts to pass a voter identification law.
He said Monday he looks forward to passing such a measure when the legislature meets again next year.
The ruling galvanizes a Republican-inspired effort that Democrats say will keep some poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots.
Efforts to pass a voter ID bill last year divided the Legislature along partisan lines.
The measure, which would have required voters to present a photo ID, ultimately failed in a bitter Senate stalemate.
Democratic Sen. Mario Gallegos of Houston called voter identification requirements "legal discrimination."