🧵 Here's our big thread on #SB1 and the provisions that will make it more difficult for Texans with disabilities to exercise their #CivilRights and participate in democracy #txlege #CripTheVote
❌ Section 4.01 (5.01 in HB 3): “Wet” signatures
Mail-in ballot signatures must be “ink on paper” and does not allow for electronic or photocopied signatures. This potentially violates #ADA bc it does not accommodate Texans who cannot physically sign because of a disability
Mail-in ballot signatures must be “ink on paper” and does not allow for electronic or photocopied signatures. This potentially violates #ADA bc it does not accommodate Texans who cannot physically sign because of a disability
❌Section 4.11 (5.08 in HB 3) Any known signature verification
Mail-in ballot signature can be compared with ANY known signature of voter by signature verification committee. Many voters with disabilities have inconsistent signatures due to their disability.
Mail-in ballot signature can be compared with ANY known signature of voter by signature verification committee. Many voters with disabilities have inconsistent signatures due to their disability.
❌Sections 5.03/5.04, Add unnecessary & excessive requirements for people who assist voters w/ disabilities
Requires people who assist voters w/disabilities in voting to complete form with the assister’s name, address, relationship to the voter, and ...
Requires people who assist voters w/disabilities in voting to complete form with the assister’s name, address, relationship to the voter, and ...
Sections 5.03/5.04 cont'd
... whether the assistant accepted any form of compensation from a candidate, campaign, or PAC.
Mistakes in filling out form constitutes a state jail felony.
... whether the assistant accepted any form of compensation from a candidate, campaign, or PAC.
Mistakes in filling out form constitutes a state jail felony.
Sections 5.03/5.04 cont'd
Assisters must also sign, under penalty of perjury, that they “did not encourage […] the voter into choosing” the assistant.
Friendly folks remind people about elections, encourage civic participation, & that they're allowed to have an assistant
Assisters must also sign, under penalty of perjury, that they “did not encourage […] the voter into choosing” the assistant.
Friendly folks remind people about elections, encourage civic participation, & that they're allowed to have an assistant
In the case of people w/disabilities who require assistance, the individual who is providing assistance may also be the individual who encouraged participation.
People w/support needs deserve the federal accommodation to exercise their civil right, but these added requirements foster a false narrative that those who volunteer to help are to be suspected of fraud instead of celebrated for creating a more representative democracy.
❌ Section 5.05 (6.03, 7.04 in HB 3) increases penalties for assisting voters
Increasing the margin for error w/extra paperwork & the penalties for honest mistakes will make assisters less inclined to help disabled Texans vote, making it harder for people w/disabilities to vote
Increasing the margin for error w/extra paperwork & the penalties for honest mistakes will make assisters less inclined to help disabled Texans vote, making it harder for people w/disabilities to vote
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