The Justice Department has made a “more information” request regarding the Texas voter ID bill. More here. Make no mistake, this is a sign that an objection may be coming from Justice.  The more information request reveals the Voting Section is willing to use disparate impact on language minorities to justify an objection in Texas.  Politicians in Texas has previously made assurances that the voter ID bill would be sent to the federal court for approval.  That didn’t happen, and now supporters of Texas voter ID are likely to soon learn what a mistake that was.  There were suggestions from every corner of Texas to include a provision in the bill, sponsored by Senator Troy Fraser from Horseshoe Bay, to require the law to be submitted to federal court for approval, and not to DOJ.  That also didn’t happen.  Look for the real possibility that DOJ will object at the end of the 60 day period (renewed by the more information request). 

If Texans really want voter ID to become law, they will ask their elected officials to withdraw the submission (which can be done with a fax machine) and submit the law to District Court on Monday for approval.  Otherwise, odds are against the law being in place in Texas anytime soon.