Representative Debbie Riddle (R-District 150) has announced that she will once again file ballotsecurity legislation that would require Texas voters to show a photo IDor two forms of non-photo ID at a polling place.

Riddle, who filedsimilar legislation in both 2007 and 2009, said her recent trip to Iraq as an electionobserver strengthened her resolve to file the bill this November inpreparation for the upcoming legislative session.

“The Iraqipeople risked their lives to cast their vote, they endured extremelystringent identification standards, and not only did they not complainbut they were excited to be participating in a democracy,” Riddle said.“It was a reminder to me that the spirit of our own republic is no lessalive. I believe the people of Texas value their right to vote, and Ibelieve they will gladly take whatever steps are necessary to protectthe integrity of our system.”

Public support for the bill hasbeen high in the past. A 2008 Rasmussen poll showed 88 percent of likelyvoters backed a Voter IDmeasure. Riddle thinks that number is even higher today in light ofpending investigations regarding voter fraud stemming from the 2008 elections. 

“Almosteveryone is currently carrying a form of ID that would allow them tovote, and for those that aren’t, the bill would let you get one forfree,” Riddle said. “When you weigh that against evidence of widespread voterregistration fraud by groups such as ACORN, I think it’s onlycommon sense for us to take our ballot security as seriously as thewrongdoers take voter fraud.”