Trial date for voter id case set for Sept 2, 2014

[Gothmog]

The trial date for the voter id lawsuit is set for September 2, 2014 http://txredistricting.org/post/67076222054/trial-in-the-texas-voter-id-case-set-for-september-2 The trial court went with the request of Rep. Veasey to have a trial in time for a ruling before the November 2014 general election and rejected the DOJ’s request to hold the trial in 2015.

This is good news. There is a Section 2 trial going on in Wisconsin right now and the ruling in that case may help this case. There is some hope that there may be a ruling prior the November 2014 election.

The court did not rule on the request of the True the Vote group to join in this case. The DOJ filed a good brief contesting the intervention of the True the Vote group.

[Rod Beauvex]

1. 9-2-14

Cutting things a bit close, isn't it?

[Gothmog]

2. The DOJ wanted the trial to start in 2015

The DOJ was pushing for a 2015 trial and intended to use data from the 2014 trial to show problems. The problem would be that the damage would have been done. It is going to be very difficult to defeat Greg Abbott and it would help if this law was held invalid

[Rstrstx]

3. Has the DOJ requested an injunction?

I was rather surprised they didn't seek one for this year

[Gothmog]

4. Yes

All of the plaintiffs have asked for injunctions

[Gothmog]

5. Greg Abbott is fighting this trial date

Abbott and the State of Texas want a trial date in March of 2015. Some of the reasons given by Greg are really bogus http://txredistricting.org/post/67501564817/state-of-texas-asks-court-to-move-voter-id-trial-to

If the State were forced to alter or even un-implement a voting law after providing election materials and substantial training, the likely result is unnecessary and avoidable confusion at the polling place. Attempting to re-educate poll workers (most of whom are volunteers) on such a short timetable is simply not feasible, and the result would likely include confusion, delay, and possibly even inconsistent enforcement of Texas’ election laws.

Blocking SB14 would mean that Texas would go back to the old procedures and not require photo id except for first time voters.

[Gothmog]

6. Hearing on trial date set for tomorrow-Nov 21

http://txredistricting.org/post/67573470611/judge-sets-thursday-hearing-on-request-by-state-of

Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has set a hearing for Thursday, November 21, at 1 p.m. on the State of Texas’ request to move the start of trial in the voter ID case from September 2, 2014 to March 2015.

I am hoping that the Judge will keep the Sept 2, 2014 trial date. The arguments from Greg are very very weak in my opinion

[Gothmog]

7. Hearing on Trial Date postponed until Nov. 22

According to Texas Redistricting, the hearing has been moved http://txredistricting.org/post/67573470611/judge-sets-thursday-hearing-on-request-by-state-of

UPDATE: Hearing on trial scheduling moved to Friday, November 22, at 11:30 a.m. Notice of resetting here.

I am not sure why this hearing was postponed but this also the date for some key briefs to be filed http://txredistricting.org/post/67587709018/key-dates-for-now-in-the-texas-redistricting-and

November 22 - Deadline in the voter ID case for the Justice Department and African-American and Hispanic plaintiffs to respond to the State of Texas’ motion to dismiss the claims

I am really hoping that the September 2 trial date stays in place.

[Gothmog]

8. Court rejects Greg Abbott's motion to delay voter id trial

As noted above, the court set the trial date for Sept 2, 2013 and Greg Abbott moved to have the trial delayed until after the 2014 elections. The Corpus Christi federal district trial judge rejected Greg's motion http://txredistricting.org/post/67782988342/court-rejects-state-of-texas-request-to-move-voter-id

After a hearing this morning, Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected the State of Texas’ request to move the start of trial in the voter ID case from September 2, 2014 to March 2015.

The September trial date leaves open the possibility that a ruling on the law could come in time to impact procedures in the November 2014 general election.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott had pushed for a later trial date on the grounds that changes to the law would be difficult to implement after mid-August and could result in voter confusion.

I am hopeful that the court will rule on the Texas voter id/voter suppression law prior to the 2014 election.