As the July 9 trial date approaches for the Texas voter identification lawsuit, you may be interested in some of the key events and documents listed below.
January 20, 2011: Rick Perry submits voter identification as an emergency matter to the 82nd Texas Legislature.
May 18, 2011: The 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session (2011), passes S.B. 14, "Relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification..."
July 25, 2011: Texas submits S.B. 14 (82nd R.S.) for preclearance pursuant to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1973c.
For a description of Section 5 preclearance, please see: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/redistricting.php
September 23, 2011: Letter from U.S. Department of Justice to Texas Secretary of State regarding submission of S.B. 14 - requesting additional information on Texas voter education program, training, and Spanish surname data.
October 4, 2011: Texas response to September 23, 2011 request for additional information.
November 16, 2011: Letter from U.S. Department of Justice to Texas Secretary of State regarding submission of S.B. 14 - requesting number of registered voters in Texas, by race and Spanish surname within county of residence, who currently possess a Texas driver's license or other form of photo identification…
January 12, 2012: Texas response to November 16, 2011 request for additional information.
January 23, 2012: (Press release) Texas files suit seeking swift enforcement of its voter identification law.
January 23, 2012: Texas complaint seeking declaratory court judgment.
Case information: State of Texas c/o Attorney General Greg Abbott v. Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States (No. 1:12-cv-00128).
March 12, 2012: Department of Justice declines to approve Texas voter ID law (S.B. 14, 82nd R.S.).
March 14, 2012: Texas' amended complaint seeking declaratory judgment.
March 22, 2012: Plaintiff's motion for protective order regarding legislative privilege. Includes:
- Exhibit A, U.S. DOJ Letter requesting depositions of 12 Texas legislators;
- Exhibit B, United States' first set of requests for production of documents;
- Exhibit C, United States' first set of interrogatories;
- Exhibit D, Proposed order granting motion for protective order.
March 23, 2012: Affidavit of Keith Ingram, Director of Elections, Texas Secretary of State.
March 29, 2012: Defendant’s response in opposition to plaintiff’s motion for a protective order.
April 2, 2012: Texas' reply on legislative privilege.
April 10, 2012: United States' statement in support of its request to depose and seek documents from state legislators and staff.
April 20, 2012: Order denying Texas' motion for protective order.
April 23, 2012: U.S. Attorney General's motion for clarification about the scheduling order and to reset the trial date.
May 7, 2012: Court order regarding submission of key evidence.
July 9, 2012: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia scheduled to hear live testimony for State of Texas c/o Attorney General Greg Abbott v. Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States (No. 1:12-cv-00128).
For a complete list of court documents related to this case, please see: ElectionLaw @ Moritz-Texas v. Holder. You may also view their collection of media coverage on the Texas voter identification lawsuit.
