Austin (WBAP/KLIF News) – Texas has agreed to weaken its voter identification law in time for the November election. Last month, an appeals court ruled the law passed in 2011 unconstitutional.
Minority groups had sued, saying the law would have a discriminatory effect. Opponents say 600,000 voters in Texas lack a form of identification that would be accepted.
Under the agreement, Texas will let voters without an approved form of identification present another form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement or paycheck. The voter would then sign an affidavit and be allowed to cast a ballot that would be counted and not considered “provisional.”
Texas will also spend at least $2.5 million on voter outreach.
This year, courts have ruled against voter identification rules in four other states.
While lawyers for the groups suing Texas and the Justice Department have agreed to the deal, a federal judge must approve the plan.
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