VICTORY!: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in Texas Voter ID Case
5th Circuit’s Decision That the Law is Discriminatory Will Stand
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear the case, Veasey v. Abbott, a challenge to Texas’s voter ID law, SB 14, the strictest photo voter ID law in the country. In refusing to grant certiorari, the Supreme Court leaves in place the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which found the law to be discriminatory.
Campaign Legal Center attorneys represent plaintiffs Congressman Marc Veasey, LULAC and a group of Texas voters in the case.
Gerry Hebert, CLC’s director of voting rights and redistricting, issued the following statement in reaction to the Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari:
“I am extremely pleased that the justices recognize that this case does not merit review at this time. The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and every other federal court that has heard this case has ruled Texas’s photo voter ID law is discriminatory. Now, Texas, which ranks poorly in voter participation, should work to ensure that every eligible voter in the state is able to cast a ballot going forward.”
A Texas district court is currently reviewing the issue of discriminatory intent. The 5th Circuit has held that there is sufficient evidence and Campaign Legal Center is confident the court will once again recognize the unlawful purpose behind this law.