Governor Abbott signs controversial Texas election bill on Tuesday

Tyler, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a controversial state election bill that has been widely criticized as an attempt to make voting more difficult for some Texas citizens.

Senate Bill 1Several changes to election operations, including a 24-hour polling place ban, increased ID requirements, drive-through voting restrictions, and mail voting restrictions, advertised by state Republicans as a way to secure Texas elections. Is added. The bill also allows partisan pollsters to observe at polling stations and makes it a criminal offense for local officials to send voters a request for mail ballots.

“What that [SB 1] That is to ensure that all voters have the opportunity to vote, “Abbott said on Tuesday.

Although there is no evidence that fraud is widespread in recent state elections, the Republicans of Texas have prioritized fraud prevention at regular and special legislative meetings. Back in July, House Democrats leave state for Washington, DC, To prevent the passage of the bill.

When Abbott signed Tyler on Tuesday’s bill, he argued that mail ballots were the “easiest way” to cheat and were even more restricted. He did not provide an example. The governor praised the bill for an extension of voting time and compared it to the voting time in Delaware, the hometown of President Joe Biden.

Critics of SB 1, especially Democrats, say the law makes it difficult for certain Texas people, especially the color community, to count votes.

Data shows Poor, black and Latin communities can find it difficult to obtain identification.

Under the new state election law, voters are required to provide their driver’s license number or social security number on ballots. The number provided to the voting worker must match the information provided in the individual’s voting record.

NS American Civil Liberties Union Reasons why it is difficult to obtain an ID card include the lack of transportation and the number of fees required to obtain the documents required to issue an ID card. In addition, poor minority communities are likely to have fewer convenient polling stations. Also, once you get there, you’re more likely to face horrifying questions about your ID.

The proceedings against SB1 were filed by 11:30 am, despite the legislation enacted around 11:15 am on Tuesday.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), along with a group of other civil rights groups, filed a federal proceeding on Tuesday morning against a bill that “cheated to deny our growing community.” Announced that it happened.

Former Texas lawmaker Beto O’Rourke and current state political activist Beto O’Rourke issued a statement on Tuesday, stating: Instead of tackling really important issues, such as protecting school children from COVID and repairing broken power grids, Abbott focuses on electoral fraud and far-right policy implementation. “

O’Rourke has been with the election bill within the past week Texas’s similarly condemned abortion restriction bill passed — His organization, Powered By People, has seen a dramatic increase in voter registration applications.

On Tuesday, Abbott added that a challenge to SB1 was expected.

“I would be surprised if such a law could not be challenged in court,” Abbott said on Tuesday. “We’ve seen it happen every time such a law is passed. The first thing Democrats do is rush to court and try to challenge it. I am very confident that it will be upheld in court when it goes through the proceedings. ”

Governor Abbott signs controversial Texas election bill on Tuesday

Source link Governor Abbott signs controversial Texas election bill on Tuesday

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