The Loud Talker

No matter what political party you support, the logic and security of requiring voters to present a photo ID should be obvious. We are required to show photo ID when renting a movie, buying a delivered pizza with a check, or shopping at various retail outlets. However, voting is a privilege that must be not be tampered with. This is NOT a partisan issue, it is important in order to ensure honest elections. Look at the influence that ACORN had across the country last year; look at how close many of our elections have been (the Franken/Coleman election in Minnesota has STILL not been decided yet).

In other words, EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

But they should be only counted once, and only those allowed by our laws to vote should be voting. No felons, no multiple voters, no undocumented visitors, no dead people or cartoon characters. Voter Photo ID is important to the integrity of the election process.

What can you do to help?

I had the honor of meeting with Lamar Smith in November. I asked him if our calls and emails make a difference. His response: “Absolutely.” He then went on to explain how the process works. Staffers categorize all calls, faxes and emails. They tally the counts and discount form letters, spam messages, etc. The top five issues of the week are put into a memo and given to our Senators and Representatives. Each office is different, but this is the general process. Now here’s the main point: It only takes a couple dozen calls to get on the weekly constituent memo. Our voices CAN be heard, we CAN make a difference. So here’s what I’m asking all concerned citizens to do.

For starters, please make two phone calls. One to the new speaker, Joe Straus’ office:

Austin office: 512-463-0686
District office (San Antonio): 210-828-4411
Email: Joe.Straus@house.state.tx.us

First, tell Speaker Straus two things:

1. Ask that he appoint a chair of the Elections Committee who is favorable to the Voter Photo ID bill.
2. Providing a photo ID for voting is important for keeping the election process honest

Other talking points (optional)

1. We need photo ID for everything from cashing checks to renting movies. It just makes good sense to require the same to vote.
2. This is not a partisan issue. It is important in order to ensure honest elections.
3. Any bill we pass will not suppress the votes of the poor and elderly. Provisions will be in the bill which will prevent that.

Second. Go to this link and contact your local Representative: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php (or, if you want the list of Representive email addresses by district, scroll down) . Tell him or her that the Voter Photo ID bill is important to you, and you want to see it pass.

Why is your participation so important?

Currently the Texas House is split 76 (R) to 74 (D). Therefore, passing this vital legislation is not guaranteed. In the last session, Reps. Tommy Merritt (Longview) and Delwin Jones (Lubbock) were the only Republicans to vote against voter ID. Their contact information is listed below. Let them know that this issue is important to you.

THANK YOU FOR CARING! We The People CAN make a difference. Remember, government works for the citizens, not vice versa.

TEXAS REPRESENTATIVE EMAIL LIST BY DISTRICT