Texas Republicans Push Hard for Voter ID

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas Republicans are making a hard push to require voters to show photo identification before casting their ballots.

The Senate acted quickly on Gov. Rick Perry’s emergency declaration for the bill, scheduling public testimony on the bill for Tuesday with a possible vote on the bill late in the day or on Wednesday.

Republicans are making stronger voter ID laws a top priority as a way to prevent fraud. Democrats say it’s a partisan effort designed to boost GOP margins on election day.

Democrats blocked a similar bill in 2009, but they now face a large Republican majority in the Senate and House that is expected to quickly pass the measure.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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