State Capitol Highlights

Full 5th Circuit to hear Texas voter ID case

AUSTIN — The entire U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will review Texas’ controversial voter identification law.

A majority of the judges of the Fifth Circuit on March 9 voted in support of an “en banc” rehearing of oral arguments in Veasey v. Abbott, a case challenging the law. No date for the rehearing has been set.

The case stems from Senate Bill 14, a law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2011, which requires prospective voters to present an acceptable form of photo identification along with their voter registration card in order to cast a ballot.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the development, saying: “Today’s decision is a strong step forward in our efforts to defend the state’s voter ID laws. Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is a primary function of state government and is essential to preserving our democratic process. We look forward to presenting our case before the full Fifth Circuit.”

The plaintiffs, however, have argued that SB 14, passed by a Republican-dominated legislature, is a partisan move to suppress minority voter turnout. They contend that the practical effects of the law violate certain parts of the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

En banc hearings are conducted with all judges of a court present and participating. The Fifth Circuit currently has 17 sitting judges. Previous hearings in Veasey v. Abbott were conducted before smaller judicial panels, and as recently as six months ago, parts of the case had been adjudged sufficient to merit consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Governor files appeal

Gov. Greg Abbott on March 9 announced his filing of an appeal with President Obama for “individual assistance” on behalf of Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Franklin, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties. 

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