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NAACP attorney Natasha Korgaonkar joins Alan to discuss the court fight over Texas’ new voter ID law.
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It's not just -- -- -- is with the NAACP.
The legal defense and education fun.
As assistant counsel.
And looking you in the -- -- like you went on tonight.
You know the issue of I'd be a voter ID is prevalent not just in Texas but in many other states -- -- asked you what's wrong.
This is the argument we hear from the other side.
Why is it wrong to ask people.
The show ID before they vote.
I'm glad you asked that question because -- -- -- a lot of people asking and and it's the common sense question with a very simple answer.
The right -- those is that federally protected right it's a right protected by at least three different amendment of the constitution.
And you know rather than to make it more difficult for people to vote.
We think that we should collectively be encouraging more people rather than if you -- to participate in the political process.
I think the real problem with asking people for -- be harder to vote is simply that it erect yet another barrier between people and the -- Then -- shouldn't there be some way of knowing that the person who is walking into the voting Booth.
Is who they say they.
Well there's a lot of different ways that a lot of states are able to do that without having photo -- -- for example even -- taxes.
Which is now trying to get a photo -- like pre cleared there he is the law that requires people to show some form of identification.
But -- limited to photo ID and in fact.
Would allow a number of different kinds of ways for people to identify themselves -- the pull off.
And it's important -- -- -- members that voter fraud at the polls through you know impersonating someone.
At a polling station who you're not is really a problem that isn't very well documented as having actually.
Effective -- I think the -- policy group and NYU has flowed into this and the sermon there really isn't.
Such a thing -- voter fraud now there's a lawsuit that Texas at least not any great degree Texas vs holder.
Is asked the federal court to approve under section five.
Of the voting law pre clearance revision of the voting rights act.
They want to approve.
Voter -- day.
So this is what the fighters right now correct.
That's exactly right I'm actually in -- right now I'm with my clients.
-- black to serve as a defendant -- -- is.
My clients are on an organization called the Texas -- of young voters Educational Fund.
There -- nonprofit nonpartisan group that seeks to safeguard.
Voting voting rights for young people of color in taxes -- of the group of individuals.
College student in Texas who would be disenfranchised by the law.
What's the status of this lawsuit.
Well it just starting today it's scheduled for the rest of the week so it's only just begun.
So how Long Will we.
Will it be before we -- ever you know resolution.
No it's not clear exactly how long the court would take after the end of the trial on Friday to determine.
I'm -- his life actually going to be pre cleared but I -- you know.
That they would want to make sure that.
-- -- that decision with enough time for taxes and -- and to get ready for the upcoming November election.
And the our viewers that this law would just proportionally effect eligible voters of color young people.
People elderly people.
And could it seems to me Republicans view these groups as those are likely to vote Democrat.
Well definitely on the group's we've mentioned are vulnerable voters I'm infected department of justice and looking at Texas has proposed law.
Discovered that Hispanic voters in taxes are about 46%.
More likely.
And white voters in Texas not to have approved forms of photo ID.
Under the proposed law.
Now a student ID is not good enough right.
You you have to -- certain kind of -- That's right impact as I mentioned before.
A member of my students are are a number of my clients rather.
Our college student in -- -- are registered to vote there some of them even have voted in taxes previously.
They had eight issued his -- card even with their photograph.
And yet there is IPs who wouldn't be allowed at the polls and a one thing that I find particularly interesting.
Is that my client union IDs won't be accepted at the polls that concealed handgun licenses well.
Senate Democrats say though -- -- they have the right idea on it.
The assailant they have the right photo -- on -- if you barely concealed if you have a -- for concealed handgun it's got the right kind of -- right.
-- -- up a permit for a concealed handgun hidden taxes apparently happened I as a photographs.
So that the kind of like you can eat it but if you have.
And identification card with your picture on it from for example the University of -- -- can't use that at the pool funded Islam.
Now the Texas attorney general Greg Abbott says the state has a responsibility to guard against the election fraud and that the law is not subject.
To Justice Department review.
And as we know certain states and it had discrimination in the past have to be.
Approved by the Justice Department before they can change voting laws and the attorney general in Texas and we don't -- that they can't -- Yeah well -- this entire proceeding that's taken place.
-- -- this week is actually under the category F section five of the voting rights act going back to.
A lot doesn't need to be pre cleared before it actually can become enforceable.
In taxes.
Now this is -- -- other states are doing the same thing like Pennsylvania.
Where there's a voter ID -- doing on the Republican House leader.
Might deter designed.
Give a speech to committee members on June 23 actually admitting.
That voter ID efforts -- to suppress democratic votes here's woody here's what is that voter ID which is gonna allow governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.
Done.
And basically admitting -- that's what's behind this.
-- you know that's terrible -- here.
I think that earlier we really should be at a point in our country where we're trying to make it easier for everyone to vote and and not harder for anyone.
-- really unfortunate quality.
What do you think's gonna happen after Friday have a prediction.
Well it's it's really hard to say have of course the lawyers -- you know our our personality is definitely to be a little conservative.
I don't I guess what the court will do but it certainly hoped.
That the decision comes out on the right -- And it's -- thank you were talking there was -- -- pretty different and actually.
