LWVTX Blog

Yesterday marked the first day of the last month of Texas's legislative session. While so much is sitting in limbo right now as we wait to see which bills that have crossed over from the Senate will be advanced in the House, one thing is clear: there are numerous bills that are moving that would have serious consequences on free and fair elections in Texas. And unlike in previous legislative sessions where legislators have packaged their bills into omnibus legislation, this session lawmakers are peppering us with smaller, standalone bills that are often very nuanced and largely unworkable. 

One thing is clear: these bills are not about election integrity, rather they aim to keep people from voting. From kicking eligible voters off the voter rolls due to inactivity, to intimidating election workers by creating new criminal penalties for administrative mistakes, to requiring the Secretary of State to assume administrative control over an entire county's election process, the outcomes of the bills being advanced will inject more politics in our elections and will ultimately place more burdens on Texas voters.

That's why we need your help at the Capitol. We are looking for League members who can provide testimony or drop a card at this Thursday's House Election hearing. The Texas Election Reform Coalition, of which the League is a part, will be holding a training session this Tuesday, May 2nd from 5:30-7:00 p.m. CT to discuss the potential impacts of the legislation being heard by the committee. Register for the training here.

Remember, if you do decide to provide testimony, it should be on your own behalf and not on behalf of the League. 

We will be circulating Action Alerts for the bills being heard by the committee later this week, so please be on the lookout.