Around 50 Democrats have fled Texas and flown to Washington DC to stop local Republicans from passing a new law
The Bill seeks to tighten voting rules by outlawing polling places and drive-through voting booths. It also seeks to stop ballot drop boxes and increase the powers of partisan poll watchers.
The Democrats said they will not return until the 30-day voting session expires. But Republicans currently control the Texas House of Representatives and the Senate, which leaves Democrats with limited options.
However, the departure of House Democrats will disable the proposed Bill from proceeding. The Bill requires two-thirds of lawmakers to be present for a vote.
Democrat Chris Turner says the fight is shifting to the nation’s capital.
“We are now taking the fight to our nation’s Capitol. We are living on borrowed time in Texas.”
The move comes after a surge of voting restrictions in Republican-led states.
https://twitter.com/ChrisGTurner/status/1414706406222090244
But the Democrats who fled Texas risk being arrested. Under state law, elected representatives can be legally compelled to return to Texas.
Texas’ House Speaker Dade Phelan, says the lawmakers would use “every available resource” to secure a quorum. The departure marks nearly 20 years since state Democrats have left Texas and broken quorum.
This latest move comes as US President Joe Biden is under pressure to overhaul voter legislation.
