Thread by @SamPohl1

The Election Protection: Securing the People’s Voice and Choice at the Ballot Box panel is beginning. Reps @StephanieKlick @ValoreeforTexas and @ElectionLawCtr w/ @ChuckDeVore moderating. @TPPF #PO2021 #TXLege texaspolicy.com/multimedia/art…

.@ElectionLawCtr starts by highlighting the 160 lawsuits from around the nation on elections. Also highlights the $450 million private funding of govt offices. #txlege #PO2021

Money used to turn public offices inti turnout machines.

“Elections should be fair and impartial, not funded by billionaires.” @ElectionLawCtr #PO2021

Rep. @StephanieKlick brings up Houston for their last minute changes to elections and how they didn’t follow the law.

Rep. @ValoreeforTexas says AG should have more power to go after those who break election law rather than waiting for local DA to request their assistance.

Touch of foreign policy, @ChuckDeVore points out that Europeans reduced mail-in ballots in the 70’s because they found them to be far too open to fraud.

Absentee and mail-in ballots are biggest problem in running an effective and trustworthy election according to @ElectionLawCtr #PO2021

Rep. @StephanieKlick says biggest threat is the Biden Administration federalizing our elections. #PO2021

Rep. @ValoreeforTexas concurs and adds that she plans to file a bill that enables you to mark your intention to leave races blank on ballots (particularly Mail-in) to prevent potential fraud. #txlege #PO2021

Rep. @ValoreeforTexas asks about the possibility of raising the minimum age for requesting a ballot by mail (military/disability not included). #PO2021

Rep. @StephanieKlick considers the removal of the box which sends you a ballot by mail every election so that you must request it either every year or every two years. #TXLege #PO2021

.@ElectionLawCtr agrees. Says it’s one of the better ideas he’s heard in a while.

.@ChuckDeVore challenges audience to end questions with a question mark during Q&A and gets a good laugh out of the audience.

.@BriscoeCain mentioned and applauded for filing several good election protection bills.

Audience member asks why there aren’t repercussions for violating statute on elections.

Legislatures quickly defended by @ElectionLawCtr because of a lack of private right of action.

Rep. @StephanieKlick suggests withholding funding for those who violate statutes.

Audience member from New Mexico asks about using blockchain for ensuring election integrity. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain

.@ElectionLawCtr points out problems with blockchain would require Internet voting.

About 67 election related bills (mostly filed by Dems) filed ahead of 87th Lege. @ChuckDeVore says they would largely weaken our election protections #txlege #PO2021

No election machines have capabilities to connect to the internet according to Rep. @ValoreeforTexas #txlege #PO2021