STATEMENT: Campus Progress Director Praises Federal Court Ruling Rejecting Texas Voter ID Law

Washington D.C. — Campus Progress joins voting rights advocates across the country in celebrating the ruling by a federal three-judge panel that struck down Texas’ restrictive voter ID law. The judges found that the law would suppress minority voting and “imposes strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor.” The law was initially blocked by the Department of Justice after failing to receive pre-clearance required under the Voting Rights Act for states with a history of discrimination.

Anne Johnson, Director of Campus Progress, released the following statement:

This is a huge victory for young Americans, communities of color, seniors, and the many other Texas voters who could have been disenfranchised this November. Texas’ Voter ID law was one of the most restrictive in the country, allowing voters to use expired gun licenses from other states, but not student IDs or Social Security cards. 

We need sensible laws that will protect and expand the right to vote and rejecting laws like this is a powerful step forward.  Today’s elected leaders will be passing policies that will affect our generation for years to come and it is absolutely vital that every young American be able to exercise their right to vote and make their voice heard.