Former representative and Speaker of the House Jim Wright (D-TX) was denied a voter ID in Texas because his license is expired.
Wright told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram that he couldn’t get an ID because he only had an expired driver’s license (Wright is 90) and a faculty ID card from Texas Christian University, neither of which qualify under Texas’ new law. Wright plans to return to the office Monday with a certified copy of his birth certificate, which will allow him to get an ID. But, the long-time voting rights advocate told the Star-Telegram, not everyone will be able to meet those qualifications, meaning the law will almost surely depress turnout in Tuesday’s state and local elections.
As I said when Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott was forced to sign an affidavit to vote, if men like him and the former Speaker of the House have trouble obtaining ID or voting, average people don’t stand a chance.
A certified copy of a birth certificate is not free.