The Texas Senate has voted to pass one of the more restrictive voting bills in the United States. If signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the bill would ban drive-thru voting and 24-hours voting. More importantly, it would allow prosecutors to charge public officials with felonies if they send mail-in voting applications to voters who do not request them. Not to mention, it would allow election officials to overturn results if “the number of votes illegally cast in the election is equal to or greater than the number of votes necessary to change the outcome of an election.”
The bill has garnered disapproval from a number of Democrats across the state of Texas. It has also sparked a response from Joe Biden. The President described the bill as an “assault on democracy” in America.
“Today, Texas legislators put forth a bill that joins Georgia and Florida in advancing a state law that attacks the sacred right to vote. It’s part of an assault on democracy that we’ve seen far too often this year—and often disproportionately targeting Black and Brown Americans,” Biden stated.
“It’s wrong and un-American. In the 21st century, we should be making it easier, not harder, for every eligible voter to vote.”
The bill will now head to the Texas House of Representatives. If it passes there, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign it into law.
