Texas federal court shirks duty to rule and pushes parties to compromise

One must ask why the Western District of Texas federal court, just a few weeks ago, was so eager to re-draw maps for the litany of advocacy groups without regard to the Texas legislature; yet, the same court is now so hesitant to rule or draw any map that might displease any of the plaintiffs, even a bit. 

Despite clear guidance from the Supreme Court on coalition or cross over districts, they still avoid making a decision, even one.  They simply can’t say No!

In fact, the court is so wedded to the advocacy groups that they are now pressuring both sides to compromise, compromise, compromise rather than just ruling on the issues before them and setting a date for an election.   That would be too hard.  They want to DC court to do the job for them.  They want a compromise.

The fact is that they don’t want to rule because they know there tthis delay and inability to conform to precendent and the order of the Supreme Court will be again overruled by the Supreme Court and this time they won’t be so kind.   So a forced compromise is the best option for the Court.  However, a compromise  is just that, a compromise.  Meaning they don’t have to rule and can try to wash their hands of it. They will try but it shouldn’t work.

A mess and scandal that is truly embarassing to the federal judiciary.

link 

Michigan Senate strengthens registration laws with photo ID requirement

Citizens would be required to show a photo ID when registering to vote under a package of bills that passed the Senate on Tuesday over Democrats’ objections.  The package also would require volunteers to complete training before working on voter registration drives and require voter applicants to affirm they are U.S. citizens.  

Link here 

Iowa poll shows that 76% of Iowans support Voter ID proposal

That includes 59% of Democrats.  A poll of 600 Iowans by a Republican political consulting firm has found that Democrats and Republicans support a legislative proposal by Secretary of State Matt Schultz to require voters to show photo identification before being allowed to vote.

The poll was sponsored by the Legacy Foundation, which was founded by former Iowa House Speaker Christopher Rants, a Sioux City Republican. The survey was conducted by Victory Enterprises of Davenport, which is headed by Chief Executive Steve Grubbs, a former Iowa Republican Party chairman. The poll showed that 76 percent of Iowans supported Schultz’s voter ID proposal, and it was opposed by 20.3 percent with 3.7 percent undecided. Among Democrats, 59.5 percent favored requiring a photo ID while 35.7 percent were opposed.

link here.

College students offers free cupcakes to lawmakers with proof of ID

Lawmakers who fail to show a photo ID will be denied a cupcake at an event next week at the Iowa Capitol.  Extra frosting might reduce the “burden” a bit.  Link here.