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“It’s easier to vote and harder to cheat.” : Texas tightens voting legislation
Election integrity now law in Texas with Republican Governor Greg Abbott cracking down on voter fraud.
The US state of Texas is continuing to demonstrate its political power, with the governor officially signing an overhaul on voting right into law.
The changes are a blow for the Democrats, with the party doing everything in its power to prevent the bill from becoming law.
Most significantly, the voting legislation prevents 24 hour polling sites, tightens ID requirements for mail voting, prevents election officials from sending unsolicited absentee ballots, and creates monthly citizenship checks.
These new measures in Texas follow a number of other Republican-led states that have enacted new laws following the 2020 presidential election.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott says “election integrity” is now law in his state and says it should be used as a model for any other states that are also wanting to pass similar legislation.
“Proud to sign Senate Bill 1 into law, which will uphold the integrity of our elections in Texas”
Governor Abbott in a post to Twitter.
“This law will make it easier to vote and harder to cheat in the Lone Star State.”
Does the bill further marginalise the community?
The new law comes despite no instances of voter fraud in Texas during the 2020 election.
Rather, Democrats argue the bill disproportionately discourages voters from ethnic minorities, as well as the elderly and disabled.
But Governor Abbott contests this, saying he is confident that no eligible voter will be left behind.
“I feel extremely confident that when this law makes it through the litigation phase, it will be upheld,” Abbott says.
“Because exactly what we’ve said, it does make it easier for people to be able to go vote. No one who is eligible to vote will be denied the opportunity to vote.”
The overhaul comes just days after Texas instated a new state law, banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
The controversial bill caused political debate and public uproar, with the White House chief of staff saying that the Justice Department is “looking for legal remedies” to uphold constitutional rights.
It’s just one of many unfolding events that US President Joe Biden has to worry about, with the Democratic leader copping backlash from his handling of the American troop evacuation efforts in Afghanistan and Hurricane Ida infrastructure damage.
