AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Republican-controlled Texas Senate began debating election reforms Tuesday that would require voters to provide identification papers.
Republicans say the ID requirements, which would take effect in time for 2010 elections, are necessary to stop voter fraud.
Democrats say the Voter ID bill will erect paperwork hurdles that disproportionately impact minorities, the poor, the disabled and the elderly.
Democratic Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio says the measure is designed to shave 3-4 percentage points off Democratic vote totals. She calls it “voter suppression.”
Texans already must show either a voter registration card or other ID.
But Republicans want to add the requirement of a photo ID or alternative identification, such as utility bills or bank statements.
In the event that voters don’t have a valid photo ID — including a driver’s license, passport or military ID — they would have to produce two additional documents, including bank statements, mail from a government entity, a marriage license, and cards used for obtaining government benefits.
Witnesses testifying for the Democrats included civil rights experts and representatives of the NAACP and AARP.