WASHINGTON — Lawyers for Texas and the Department of Justice are framing their final arguments about Texas' controversial voter ID law around the federal Voting Rights Act.
The Texas lawyers argue they have proved the 2011 state law, which requires voters to show a government-issued photo ID, won't discriminate against minority voters.
Justice Department lawyers say the Texas voter ID law is exactly the type of statute the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 to protect minorities' right to vote, is designed to prevent.
Both sides gave closing arguments Friday after a weeklong trial to determine the fate of the law. The Justice Department blocked the law in March, citing the Act. Texas, in turn, sued sending the case to federal court where a three judge panel is deciding the case.