X-Post: Texas Voter ID Bill Outs Transgender Voters at Polls

[The Philosopher]

Article from Dallas Voice: Advocates says Texas Voter ID bill will force transgender people to out themselves at polls

Cross-posted in GD:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x733833">http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x733833

I hope I'm not breaking a rule posting it here, too.

[derby378]

1. I'm an election judge in Texas - I know how to be discreet

Yes, I have a big mouth, but there's nothing in Voter ID that says I have to announce the voter's gender to everyone in the room.

[haikugal]

2. Is there anything

in your job description that would indicate that a persons privacy should be respected?

[derby378]

4. I thought it was pretty much understood

Voter walks up to me, hands me voter registration card, I review the poll books to make sure their registration doesn't have any problems and that they haven't already voted, I stamp the voter registration card and hand it back, invite them to grab a ballot and a sticker that says "I Voted." That's about it.

[enlightenment]

3. Perhaps they don't even wish to be outed to you -

no offense. I don't doubt your discretion, but it isn't whether or not you announce it to the room - rather that they would have to expose themselves at all. Even just to you.

[derby378]

5. Sounds a little like the problem of a woman wearing a hijab or abaya in a driver's license photo

Someone involved in government work needs to know a little something about you just long enough to make sure your needs as a citizen are being served. Since I am a public servant as long as the polls are open, I need to extend due diligence to everyone with equal respect for all - and discretion where needed.

[The Philosopher]

6. The problem comes

from those who aren't as discreet. Even Democrats can be ignorant. There's also that in the big elections, the Election Judge is supposed to be a Republican. Imagine being the only Democrat (who is the Alt Judge) against a Republican clerk taking the opportunity not only to transbash, but with the Judge's help turn the voter away. That's the sort of things these bills are gearing toward, making it easier for a hateful community to operate. If we don't stop this bullshit now, there'll be a day when that scenario will happen, and your protests to the SOS will be dismissed.

[derby378]

7. Since my precinct has a Democratic election judge during the big elections...

...this is just one more reason that Democrats need to vote, vote, for Gumby's sake, VOTE.

[The Philosopher]

8. Wait

That stupid law goes by county? BY COUNTY? ::shakes fist at the sky::