"A bill from Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, would require Texas counties to make photo voting cards available free to people who don't have other acceptable IDs they would need come 2012.
Smith's bill appears to fall within the constitutional boundaries the U.S. Supreme Court has set in upholding Indiana's law, which limits acceptable IDs to state or federal cards with an expiration date and counts provisional ballots only if the voter returns with proper ID in 10 days. (Georgia's slightly less restrictive law survived a federal challenge but is before the state Supreme Court.)
Under Smith's bill, a Texas voter could present a driver's license, DPS-issued ID, military ID, citizenship certificate, passport, concealed handgun license, student ID, tribal ID or card issued by a federal, state or local agency.
A registered voter without any of those could get a free photo voting card from the local registrar by showing proof of birth, birthdate and registration. Provisional ballots would count if the voters returned with a photo ID in seven business days after an election.
Other states have provisions worth considering to reduce the chances of denying qualified voters their rights."
Opinion: Voter ID is far from the most crucial issue to come before the Texas Legislature
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