A controversial new Texas law requiring voters to present personal identification before going to the polls has been blocked by the Obama administration . In a letter Monday to state officials , the Justice Department said the legislation could have a discriminatory effect on Hispanics and other minorities . Texas is among eight states to require official photo identification in an effort to stop what officials say is voter fraud . Opponents of the laws say they disenfranchise poor , minority and disabled voters . The department concluded there is little evidence of voter fraud in Texas warranting the legislative changes . `` We note that the state 's submission did not include evidence of significant in-person voter impersonation not already addressed by the state 's existing laws , '' said Thomas Perez , assistant attorney general . The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 gives the federal government the power to oversee any changes in voting procedures in states and jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination . Texas ' new voting boundaries for congressional and legislative seats are also being challenged separately in federal court . The Justice Department , relying on statistics provided by the state , said Hispanics in particular would be negatively affected by the Texas law . `` Under the data provided in January , Hispanics make up only 21.8 % of all registered voters , but fully 38.2 % of the registered voters who lack these forms of identification . Thus , we conclude that the total number of registered voters who lack a driver 's license or personal identification card issued by ( the state Department of Public Safety ) could range from 603,892 to 795,955 , '' Perez said in the letter , addressed to the director of elections for the Texas secretary of state . `` Even using the data most favorable to the state , Hispanics disproportionately lack either a driver 's license or a personal identification card ... and that disparity is statistically significant , '' Perez said . A similar voter ID law in South Carolina was blocked by the Obama administration in December . Texas and South Carolina now have the option of asking a federal court in Washington to review the laws , and allow them to be enforced this election year . Texas Gov . Rick Perry released a statement soon after the Justice Department 's decision was announced , slamming it as `` yet another example of the Obama administration 's continuing and pervasive federal overreach . '' `` The DOJ has no valid reason for rejecting this important law , which requires nothing more extensive than the type of photo identification necessary to receive a library card or board an airplane , '' he said . Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has defended the law , saying it imposes `` minor inconveniences on exercising the right to vote . '' Voters in the state would be required to present one of seven types of government-issued photo identification , including a driver 's license , a passport or a concealed handgun permit . Those lacking the ID would be given a provisional ballot , but the voter would have to present an approved document to the registrar 's office within six days after the election . Those lacking an acceptable identification would be given a free voter identification card . Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act has been used by federal authorities for decades to oversee election changes in 16 states or selected areas , including parts of New York City . Texas and other jurisdictions have chafed at the requirements , saying there has been no recent government effort to discriminate . They argue they should not continue to have the burden of showing that any voting changes would not burden or interfere with someone 's ability to vote . Opponents of the voter ID law in Texas have said minority voter turnout could be suppressed 3 % to 5 % at a time when the Hispanic population there is growing rapidly . There have also been complaints the new law has not been sufficiently publicized . `` Texas ' voter ID law would prevent countless Latinos , African-Americans , elderly citizens and others from casting their ballot , '' said Katie O'Connor , a staff attorney with the ACLU 's Voting Rights Project . `` We 're pleased the Department of Justice has recognized the harms this discriminatory law would have on people 's fundamental right to vote . '' The Justice Department said Hispanic registered voters in Texas are 46.5 % to 120 % more likely than a non-Hispanic registered voter to lack the required identification . The nation 's second largest state has a population of 25.1 million , an increase of 4.3 million in the past decade . That explosive growth ensures Texas will gain four congressional seats , requiring new voting boundaries that are still being litigated in court . The Supreme Court in January ordered a special federal court in Texas to reconsider its rejection of the maps approved by the state 's Republican majority .
Texas Gov . Rick Perry describes Trump 's move as an example of ` ` federal overreach '' The law requires people to show a photo ID at the polling place . The Justice Department says there is little evidence of ` ` in - person appearance . '' The department blocked a similar photo ID law in North Carolina in December .