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Question: Why does Texas allow a Texas Handgun License as an acceptable form of photo ID but not a University of Texas Student ID? It seems if we are so concer

by birken 6y ago

Question: Why does Texas allow a Texas Handgun License as an acceptable form of photo ID but not a University of Texas Student ID? It seems if we are so concerned about voting being easy with those IDs, we should let all the students with state issued photo IDs use them. As for your question, supporting or not supporting voter ID is less about how difficult the IDs are to get, but rather that it is creating a requirement that makes both the act of voting and the preparation for voting much more time intensive. And this is all to solve a problem, voter fraud, that nobody has any evidence occurs at any appreciable volume. But I'll just say, if a system existed where I could get a photo ID with no fees and no wait times, and I could do it on election day, then I'd be much more willing to support voter ID laws.

refurb 6y ago
Probably because one goes through rigorous validation and one is just printed by a private organization?
- pseudalopex 6y ago
  The University of Texas is part of the state government. 25 of the 34 states with voter ID requirements even accept private student IDs.[1] [1] https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-id-as-voter-id https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-id-as-voter-id
  - refurb 6y ago
    I don’t see that in your link. Maybe I’m overlooking it? I see that 10 states will accept student ID, but there are restrictions on which IDs. For example, it has to have your signature on the card, etc.
    - pseudalopex 6y ago
      The legend says green and yellow states accept student IDs. Stripes mean they only accept public student IDs. 27 states are green or yellow and only 2 have stripes.
brandonmenc 6y ago
> Why does Texas allow a Texas Handgun License as an acceptable form of photo ID but not a University of Texas Student ID? My guess would be because an LTC (like a driver license) clearly indicates if you are a state resident whereas a UT student ID does not? The student IDs can certainly be modified to contain that info, but until they do it makes sense that they aren't a strong enough ID for voting.
- birken 6y ago
  A state should not let somebody register to vote unless the state confirms they are a resident of the state and otherwise eligible. As I understand the point of voter ID, it is to prove that the person casting the vote is who they say they are. If they are on the voting rolls, they are eligible to vote, that check has already been done. If the photo ID matches up with the person, they are who they say they are. All that matters should be the trustworthiness of the ID, and I see no reason why the state of Texas shouldn't trust the UT system.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
  - caseysoftware 6y ago
    I wasn't a UT student so real, honest question: Is a UT ID an acceptable form of ID to buy alcohol?
    - ThA0x2 6y ago
      It is not. In Texas, you cannot purchase alcohol with a school ID.
    - birken 6y ago
      Buying alcohol requires an ID with age information, as that is an age check. Voting does not require age information, as you cannot register to vote unless you are the proper age. Just a reputable ID that can match a photograph to a person, for which the UT student IDs are deemed good enough for the security and safety within the UT system. And of course, it's a state run university. If the state really cared about making voting accessible to people with valid IDs, they would update the UT IDs to meet whatever requirements they deemed necessary. They've had 6 years. Why haven't they done it? Students actively want the change.
caseysoftware 6y ago
> if a system existed where I could get a photo ID with no fees and no wait times, and I could do it on election day Amusing how quickly the requirements grew.
- birken 6y ago
  This is literally just equalizing the hassle to states without voter ID laws. You are the one adding requirements for a citizen to exercise their right to vote.
  - caseysoftware 6y ago
    Most states (29 of 50) don't have same day voter registration but of the 21 who do, they require Voter ID and proof of residency. Is your assertion that they're also suppressing the vote? Ref: https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-d...
  - metiscus 6y ago
    Merely that they establish that they are a particular citizen. It isn't that hard to do. You need ID to go to most doctors, buy tobacco and alcohol, yada yada yada.

by birken 6y ago

refurb 6y ago

Probably because one goes through rigorous validation and one is just printed by a private organization?

pseudalopex 6y ago
The University of Texas is part of the state government. 25 of the 34 states with voter ID requirements even accept private student IDs.[1] [1] https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-id-as-voter-id https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-id-as-voter-id
- refurb 6y ago
  I don’t see that in your link. Maybe I’m overlooking it? I see that 10 states will accept student ID, but there are restrictions on which IDs. For example, it has to have your signature on the card, etc.
  - pseudalopex 6y ago
    The legend says green and yellow states accept student IDs. Stripes mean they only accept public student IDs. 27 states are green or yellow and only 2 have stripes.

brandonmenc 6y ago

> Why does Texas allow a Texas Handgun License as an acceptable form of photo ID but not a University of Texas Student ID? My guess would be because an LTC (like a driver license) clearly indicates if you are a state resident whereas a UT student ID does not? The student IDs can certainly be modified to contain that info, but until they do it makes sense that they aren't a strong enough ID for voting.

birken 6y ago
A state should not let somebody register to vote unless the state confirms they are a resident of the state and otherwise eligible. As I understand the point of voter ID, it is to prove that the person casting the vote is who they say they are. If they are on the voting rolls, they are eligible to vote, that check has already been done. If the photo ID matches up with the person, they are who they say they are. All that matters should be the trustworthiness of the ID, and I see no reason why the state of Texas shouldn't trust the UT system.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- caseysoftware 6y ago
  I wasn't a UT student so real, honest question: Is a UT ID an acceptable form of ID to buy alcohol?
  - ThA0x2 6y ago
    It is not. In Texas, you cannot purchase alcohol with a school ID.
  - birken 6y ago
    Buying alcohol requires an ID with age information, as that is an age check. Voting does not require age information, as you cannot register to vote unless you are the proper age. Just a reputable ID that can match a photograph to a person, for which the UT student IDs are deemed good enough for the security and safety within the UT system. And of course, it's a state run university. If the state really cared about making voting accessible to people with valid IDs, they would update the UT IDs to meet whatever requirements they deemed necessary. They've had 6 years. Why haven't they done it? Students actively want the change.

caseysoftware 6y ago

> if a system existed where I could get a photo ID with no fees and no wait times, and I could do it on election day Amusing how quickly the requirements grew.

birken 6y ago
This is literally just equalizing the hassle to states without voter ID laws. You are the one adding requirements for a citizen to exercise their right to vote.
- caseysoftware 6y ago
  Most states (29 of 50) don't have same day voter registration but of the 21 who do, they require Voter ID and proof of residency. Is your assertion that they're also suppressing the vote? Ref: https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-d...
- metiscus 6y ago
  Merely that they establish that they are a particular citizen. It isn't that hard to do. You need ID to go to most doctors, buy tobacco and alcohol, yada yada yada.