Federal Court Rules Discriminatory Texas ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act

(Washington, DC, August 5, 2015)—Today the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a discriminatory Texas voter ID law violated federal law. The Court ruled that the Texas law had a discriminatory effect and violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is one of the remaining provisions of the landmark civil rights bill.

"We welcome the 5th Circuit's decision and we are confident the law will ultimately be struck down as unconstitutional. Fifty years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, all eligible Americans should have a voice in their democracy," said National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Executive Director Kate Kendell. "Voter ID laws make it needlessly difficult for millions of Americans to vote, including LGBTQ people, people of color, women, students, people with low income, homeless people, people with disabilities, and people who live in rural areas."

NCLR Policy Director Julie Gonen added: "Texas has a long history of blocking access to voting rights through poll taxes, all-white primaries, and voter intimidation. This ongoing effort to suppress voter turnout is another shameful attempt to silence the voices of the most marginalized members of our society. It is also a reminder that it is time to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect Americans' right to vote. As an organization committed to securing the rights of LGBTQ people, we will fight for the voting rights of all Americans."

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org