> Why does Texas allow a Texas Handgun License as an acceptable form of photo ID but not a University of Texas Student ID?

My guess would be because an LTC (like a driver license) clearly indicates if you are a state resident whereas a UT student ID does not?

The student IDs can certainly be modified to contain that info, but until they do it makes sense that they aren't a strong enough ID for voting.

A state should not let somebody register to vote unless the state confirms they are a resident of the state and otherwise eligible. As I understand the point of voter ID, it is to prove that the person casting the vote is who they say they are. If they are on the voting rolls, they are eligible to vote, that check has already been done. If the photo ID matches up with the person, they are who they say they are. All that matters should be the trustworthiness of the ID, and I see no reason why the state of Texas shouldn't trust the UT system.

I wasn't a UT student so real, honest question: Is a UT ID an acceptable form of ID to buy alcohol?

Buying alcohol requires an ID with age information, as that is an age check. Voting does not require age information, as you cannot register to vote unless you are the proper age. Just a reputable ID that can match a photograph to a person, for which the UT student IDs are deemed good enough for the security and safety within the UT system.

And of course, it's a state run university. If the state really cared about making voting accessible to people with valid IDs, they would update the UT IDs to meet whatever requirements they deemed necessary. They've had 6 years. Why haven't they done it? Students actively want the change.

It is not. In Texas, you cannot purchase alcohol with a school ID.

Not to mention I would be completely unsurprised to find that there were various forms of non-citizen immigrants attending the University of Texas and thus possessing such an ID.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that a Texas Handgun License requires citizenship.

Out of sheer curiosity, I've did a quick Google search and it seems that it does not.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/ltc/faqs/index.htm

> 12. Can non-US citizens obtain a License to Carry a Handgun? > Yes. Subject to the requirements of federal firearms law, and if not otherwise ineligible, resident aliens and certain nonimmigrant aliens who are lawfully present in the United States may obtain the license.

I have to say I am rather surprised!

> if a system existed where I could get a photo ID with no fees and no wait times, and I could do it on election day

Amusing how quickly the requirements grew.

This is literally just equalizing the hassle to states without voter ID laws. You are the one adding requirements for a citizen to exercise their right to vote.

Most states (29 of 50) don't have same day voter registration but of the 21 who do, they require Voter ID and proof of residency. Is your assertion that they're also suppressing the vote?

Ref: https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-d...

Merely that they establish that they are a particular citizen. It isn't that hard to do. You need ID to go to most doctors, buy tobacco and alcohol, yada yada yada.

Probably because one goes through rigorous validation and one is just printed by a private organization?

The University of Texas is part of the state government. 25 of the 34 states with voter ID requirements even accept private student IDs.[1]

[1] https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-id-as-voter-id

I don’t see that in your link. Maybe I’m overlooking it?

I see that 10 states will accept student ID, but there are restrictions on which IDs. For example, it has to have your signature on the card, etc.

The legend says green and yellow states accept student IDs. Stripes mean they only accept public student IDs. 27 states are green or yellow and only 2 have stripes.