Last month a federal appeals court ruled that Texas’s controversial Voter ID law discriminates against black and Hispanic voters. Now, reports The Dallas Morning News,the Lone Star State is appealing the decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office said the appeal is an effort to “protect the integrity of voting in the state.” It’s not clear at this point whether Paxton will file an emergency appeal or go through the standard process. The more lengthy process could make it less likely the ID rules will be in place for November's elections.
According to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Texas voter ID law violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The court has asked Texas to find a temporary solution for disenfranchised voters as quickly as possible. Texas Republicans argue the law is a necessary protection against voter fraud. Meanwhile, studies have shown that voter fraud is not statistically an issue.