The Texas AFL-CIO represents more than 200,000 members in our state, including refinery workers, teachers, plumbers, nurses, theatrical workers, correctional officers, firefighters and many more trades.  Our organization, through the United Labor Legislative Committee (ULLCO), has taken a position against Senate Bill 362 for many of the same reasons that you heard today.   In short, for many people this bill makes it more difficult, not easier, to vote.  And that’s the wrong direction to take in our democracy.

Senate Bill 362 would no longer allow someone to vote with a voter registration certificate alone, but would require an official ID.  Among the various forms of  identification authorized for voting, the most commonly used and recognized would be the driver’s license or personal ID card issued by the Department of Public Safety.  This legislation induces those without an ID to obtain a state ID for voting purposes.  If SB 362 passes, the Legislature would be taking a big step towards establishing a state ID.  And a state ID system is one computer connection away from a National ID system under the Real ID Act.

Again, if an official ID is required to vote, and most all Texas adults should vote, then we would be establishing a de facto state ID requirement for adult Texans.

Members, the national AFL-CIO and the Republican Party of Texas have a policy position in common: they both oppose a national ID program and the Real ID Act.  As you may know, currently, the federal government expects Texas to comply with the Real ID Act, which envisions that all states be linked through a national database.  By requiring an official state ID as the most commonly recognized document for voting, we are, in effect, taking the biggest step towards a national ID system.  And that greatly concerns us.  Thank you.