A three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments about Texas' voter identification law, which the U.S. Department of Justice claimed suppresses minority voting.

The 2011 Texas voter identification law requires voters to present one of seven photo identifications ahead of casting their ballot. Democrats, minority advocacy groups and the federal government have criticized the law, largely supported by the state's Republicans.

During the April 28 hearing, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes questioned why the Texas Legislature did not address the voter identification law to ease criticism. Hayes, appointed by then-President George W. Bush, questioned why the court has to fix the law instead of the Texas legislative system.

The Texas voter identification is a subject at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals after the state's attorneys appealed U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi's ruling last October that the voter identification law "constitutes an unconstitutional poll tax." The state attorneys dismissed Ramos' claim that the law discriminates against minority voters, namely African Americans and Latinos, and suggested the law strengthens election security and fraud.

According to The Texas Tribune, more than 600,000 Texans lack the required photo identification, based on estimates by experts.

Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller spoke in support of the voter identification law before Hayes and fellow Judges Carl Stewart and Nannette Jolivette Brown. In a statement released by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, Paxton reiterated his support of the law as "[s]afeguarding the integrity" of the democratic election process."

"In Texas, we have successfully held three statewide elections and numerous local and special elections with the voter ID law in place -- with no disenfranchisement reported," continued Paxton. "Baseless attempts to undermine our voter ID law are motivated purely by political opposition, and have nothing to do with protecting one of our society's most fundamental and important rights."

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa criticized the state's voter identification law.

In a statement, Hinojosa said, "Voter suppression is alive and well in Texas. While we continue the fight to restore this sacred constitutional right to all Texans, Republican lawmakers continue to fight tooth and nail to keep minority, low income, and elderly voters away from the ballot box."

"Texas' voter ID law is discriminatory and unacceptable," Hinojosa added. "The Texas Democratic Party is confident that the court will protect and defend eligible voters that have been disfranchised by this shameful Republican law."

A decision date by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is unknown.

According to the attorney general's office, the seven acceptable forms of photo identifications are a Texas driver's license, free Texas election identification card (EIC), Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a concealed handgun, U.S. military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate and a U.S. passport.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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