Supreme Court allows Texas “poll tax” voter ID law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas has gotten the go-ahead from the Supreme Court to use its strict voter identification law in the November election.

The court’s action early Saturday comes even after a judge said the law was the equivalent of a poll tax and threatened to deprive many blacks and Latinos of the right to vote this year.

The high court acted two days before the start of early voting in Texas.

The move appears to be based on the justices’ view that changing the rules so close to an election would be confusing.

Texas has conducted several low-turnout elections under the new rules. Those rules set seven forms of approved photo ID, including concealed handgun licenses, but not college student IDs.

The court’s brief unsigned order offered no explanation for its action.