Eric Holder is telegraphing his interest in Texas redistricting and the passage of Voter ID in Texas.  More at PJ Tatler.

“Sen. Wendy Davis said Tuesday that a new redistricting map for her Tarrant County senatorial district violates the federal Voting Rights Act by ripping apart a powerful minority coalition that was crucial to her election over a Republican incumbent in 2008.”  Star Telegram.

Deschutes County sets up 24 hour drive by drop boxes for ballots.

“Representative Clemmons has been instrumental in securing the integrity of our voting process and ensuring clean elections by helping to move the Voter ID Bill through the South Carolina House of Representatives, and for that I am grateful” said Karen Floyd, the outgoing Chairwoman of the South Carolina Republican Party.”

Full story here.

Voters will decide whether to pave the way for voter ID in Missouri in a 2012 referendum.

“The measure would amend the Missouri Constitution but would not actually require voters to show identification or allow them to vote in advance of Election Day. Rather, it would give lawmakers the authority to pass laws on the issues.  The Senate approved the measure on a 25-9 vote Monday after the House passed it last week. It will appear on the ballot in 2012, most likely in the November general election.”

“Concerned, Penn-Grave investigated and soon discovered her mother’s nursing home organized a voting session for all its residents wanting to cast a ballot.”  Full story.

Many states restrict the franchise to people who are not cognizant and aware.  The old term used in the law was “idiot” and in some states, it is still used.  Indiana appears to have no such restriction.  The difficult question is how to protect the rights of the voter in this circumstance.  Some states have strict guidelines on nursing home voting, requiring observers from each party before voters can be trucked off to the polls.

Wausau Daily Herald: harmful

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel keeps the drum beating

Voter ID cost is certain in Wisconsin.

Protesters interrupt Voter ID hearing.

Accountability Board troubled by bill.

And don’t miss this cartoon against Voter ID.

Indiana voters with questions for the Secretary of State instead reached a “stimulating conversation” line complete with “hot girls.”  Typos in an agency press release caused the problem.

Here at ENC.com.  The report states:

“When Mooppan said the lawyer for the Justice Department seemed to argue that Nix could have avoided his injury simply by running as a Democrat or a Republican, Tatel suggested that there might be “constitutional problems” with forcing people to give up their state-created right not to affiliate with a political party they do not want to represent.”

And in a deliciously ironic line, the story notes:

“An official with the U.S. Department of Justice declined comment Monday when contacted by The Free Press.”

“The Mexican American Legislative Caucus asked a federal judge to order the Texas Legislature to draw political boundaries based on the assumption that there are more Hispanics living in the state than the Census shows.”

Reuters