By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-839208.mp3
Austin, TX – As a standoff in the Texas House enters day four, it appears Democrats will stall long enough to kill a controversial Voter ID bill.
Democrats claim the ID bill will suppress voting. Republicans say voters should show a photo ID at the polls to prevent fraud.
If the bill does get to the floor, Democrat Rafael Anchia of Dallas says he's ready with an alternative that would focus on increasing voter participation.
Anchia: One way to do it is allow people to show up with their voter id and then register and vote on the same day. That's the kind of stuff we need to be wrestling with. It's not about getting less people to vote it's about getting more people to vote.
Anchia says same-day voting in other states has increased participation. Anchia's alternative measure also calls for a four-year phase in of any voter ID change.