Thread by @mattiweil

Tonight #txlege is expected to send an expansive set of voting reforms to @GregAbbott_TX’s desk. #SB1 claims that fraud is undermining public confidence in elections – in reality, #SB1 itself is a threat to the foundation of our democracy.  My thoughts here 👇 (1/9)

#SB1 bans drop boxes & 24-hour, drive-through, and curbside voting – all positive, accessible voting options made available by @HarrisVotes in 2020. Harris County (incl. Houston) has ~2x the Black population as Texas generally. What a crazy coincidence 🙄 (2/9)

This provision does nothing to make voting more secure – there is no evidence to suggest that voter fraud is more likely to occur after 10pm. For jurisdictions with the resources to implement it, 24-hour voting makes the ballot more accessible with little to no downsides. (3/9)

#SB1 also makes other dangerous changes to the behind-the-scenes work of running an election: 1) it criminalizes election officials (EOs), and 2) it changes the rules on observers and challengers. (4/9)

1) #SB1 prescribes special legal penalties for EOs. These public servants have been through enough this last year without worrying about facing legal action for honest mistakes that any human operating in a high-stress, high-intensity job would make. (5/9)

The bill clarifies that penalties apply only when an EO knowingly commits a violation, but these statutes provide ample ground for legal action against EOs just trying to do their jobs – legal action that would bog down the work of operating accessible, secure elections. (6/9)

2) #SB1 gives election observers more leeway to interfere in the voting process. Observers are an important part of any election, but this bill will make it harder for EOs to maintain an orderly voting or counting operation, worsening the election for everyone. (7/9).

#txlege has wasted everyone’s time on a bill filled with frivolous rules and restrictions that will make voting worse for all Texans. Other states considering reforms should look to advice of experienced professionals at the ground-level of voting – election officials. (8/9)

EOs know what is needed to make voting more accessible, more secure, and more transparent – their recommendations should be implemented in every state: bipartisanpolicy.org/report/voting-… (9/9)