Texas legislators are debating whether to send various election laws to the Department of Justice for approval. Story here.  Understanding Georgia’s experience with Section 5 submissions is invaluable for the debate in Texas.  Kemp recently testified before the Texas legislature.  His experiences with the DOJ are important for any state which must submit redistricting or voter identification plans for Section 5 preclearance.

“But neither King nor Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, said they thought the process through the Department of Justice is necessarily unfair.  Fraser said the process works as it is, but he would consider backing the legislation if it moves to the Senate. The bill is currently pending in committee.”

Legislators should speak with citizens in Kinston, North Carolina about their experiences with the Section 5 preclearance process.  Better still, speak with Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp about his experiences trying to get Justice to preclear citizenship verification.  DOJ objected to the submission.  How did Georgia get the plans approved?  By suing, and only by suing. 

The process has not worked for Georgia or Kinston.  If Texas wants newly passed voter identification requirements to become law, it will need to go to district court to have them approved, not to DOJ.