1/ Breaking: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed new voting restrictions into law.
The legislation targets local initiatives meant to make it easier to vote, specifically ones that were disproportionately used by voters of color in 2020. #TXlege bit.ly/3hb42nE
The legislation targets local initiatives meant to make it easier to vote, specifically ones that were disproportionately used by voters of color in 2020. #TXlege bit.ly/3hb42nE
2/ The new law restricts hours for early voting, bans drive-thru voting and implements a new ID requirement for voting by mail.
It also allows partisan poll watchers to have “free movement” and creates new requirements for people helping voters who need assistance.
It also allows partisan poll watchers to have “free movement” and creates new requirements for people helping voters who need assistance.
3/ The law also creates a correction process for mail-in voting and establishes monthly voter registry checks.
Read more here on what the law does. bit.ly/3nbpFba
Read more here on what the law does. bit.ly/3nbpFba
4/ This comes after a series of federal court rulings in recent years found Texas lawmakers have repeatedly and intentionally discriminated against voters of color, often by diluting the power of their votes in selecting their representatives. bit.ly/38TM7gx
5/ Republicans say the law is necessary for election integrity — despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
The law has raised alarms in communities of color and the disabled community, who fear the law could impede their right to vote.
The law has raised alarms in communities of color and the disabled community, who fear the law could impede their right to vote.
6/ The bill was discussed throughout the regular session, but Democrats left the chamber at the very end. Without enough members present, the bill died and the session ended.
Abbott then called two special sessions to pass the bill alongside other GOP priorities.
Abbott then called two special sessions to pass the bill alongside other GOP priorities.
7/ During the first special session in July, House Democrats broke quorum and flew to Washington, D.C., where they advocated for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Back in Austin, bill discussion was suspended until enough Democrats returned in August. bit.ly/3h7syGo
Back in Austin, bill discussion was suspended until enough Democrats returned in August. bit.ly/3h7syGo
8/ For communities of color, the law seems like a step back into Texas’ long history of discriminating against voters of color.
Drive-thru voting and 24-hour polls — now banned under the law — were disproportionately used by voters of color in 2020. bit.ly/3h7sJl2
Drive-thru voting and 24-hour polls — now banned under the law — were disproportionately used by voters of color in 2020. bit.ly/3h7sJl2
9/9 The law already faces at least two legal challenges and could face more.
Read more here: bit.ly/3kZ47fj
Read more here: bit.ly/3kZ47fj
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