🧵 Today's webinar on #VotingRights for Texans w/disabilities & 65+ is covering vote-by-mail.

When you fill out the form, you might wonder what's the difference b/t being an assister or a witness for vote-by-mail?

#CripTheVote @DisRightsTx Jeff Miller & Molly Broadway:

Witness: Someone who is will attest that it is your signature & the information on your form is correct.

Assister: Someone who helps you fill out the form, help you read the application, & ensure you're checking the right boxes

🧵 Here's your #txlege #SB1 update for September 1, 2021 and how it affects #DisabilityRights.

We're covering the enrolled bill waiting to be signed by Gov. Abbott capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/bi… There are still issues w/ the final version, but 1st ...

📣 THANK YOU allies who elevated the concerns of Texas voters w/disabilities @MOVE_texas @naswtx_advocacy @TXCivilRights @TxDisabilities @DisRightsTx + all the individuals who gave testimony

🧵 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

🧵 Our member Courtney P. of the Dallas area wanted to provide her testimony in opposition fo #SB1 during Monday's committee hearing. She lives with paralysis due to a progressive health condition and wanted to share how important the democratic process is to her #txlege People w/disabilities are at higher risk of contracting #COVID19 and facing severe illness. The surge of cases in Austin means it would be unsafe for Courtney to travel to Austin, which is why she requested to testify virtually. #txlege #SB1

🧵While we're waiting for the #txlege #SB1 hearing to resume, here's some background on why some of the voters most affected by it can't provide testimony in person. #CripTheVote People w/disabilities are more likely to get very sick if they get #COVID19. Cases of #COVID19 are high in Austin.

In fact, cases are so high that #txlege Senate requires people to test negative for #COVID19 before entering a hearing room.

🧵Here's what to know about the bills & how they negatively affect Texas voters w/disabilities:

#SB1 would give poll watchers more authority to watch voters. Poll watchers may misconstrue cues/prompts voters w/disabilities need & think they are doing something illegal #txlege #SB1 would ban drop boxes for mail-in ballots & would
require receipt “by an election official at the time of delivery.” The official must record the voter’s name, signature, and type of voter ID provided. #txlege #CripTheVote

🧵Y'all still awake? #txlege is about to discuss the omnibus voting bill #SB7 in a few minutes, and it almost seems like some folks hope you're asleep! Here's what you need to know about the latest version of #SB7 and why it's bad for Texas voters w/disabilities #CripTheVote Although #SB7 dropped the Dr.'s note to prove a voter's disability to qualify for mail-in ballots, the latest version requires Texans requesting to vote by mail bc of disability to disclose illness/injury/mental or physical disability. That's not an improvement. #CripTheVote

🚨 URGENT ACTION ALERT! 🚨

Help your fellow Texas voters in 2 minutes and send a message to the #txlege asking they to VOTE NO on Texas #HB6 and #SB7.

These bills negatively affect Texas voters w/ disabilities, and they are being heard THURSDAY, MAY 6. bit.ly/VotingBills Wondering what the problems are with #txlege #HB6 #SB7? Well ...

🚨Some voters with disabilities need assistance to cast a ballot, and legislation that asks for assisters to fill out forms (and run the risk doing it wrong and facing legal ramifications) is #VoterSuppression