From WSJopinion: Joe Biden claims Texas’s proposed election reforms are “an assault on democracy.” The facts say otherwise.
The reality is more prosaic. To start with the controversial, the 67-page bill would roll back Covid-19 innovations like Harris County’s drive-through voting and 24-hour voting. Those options were used disproportionately last year by black and Hispanic residents. But when did emergency procedures amid a 100-year pandemic suddenly become the new baseline? It’s hardly crazy to think polling-place shenanigans might be more likely at 3 a.m.
The bill says that on the last Sunday of early voting, polling places may not open until 1 p.m. This is a political mistake, at minimum, in that it’s being spun as an attack on black churches that have a “souls to the polls” tradition. One lawmaker supporting the bill argued: “Those election workers want to go to church, too.” But some people take care of their religious obligations on Saturdays, and in any event Texas repealed most of its blue laws in 1985.
Under the bill, Texas would still offer some two weeks of early voting. Mr. Biden’s beloved Delaware won’t have any early voting until 2022, when it will get 10 days. The Texas bill would also raise minimum hours. In the final week, counties with 100,000 people must currently open their “main” polling place 12 hours on weekdays and five hours on Sunday. That population threshold would drop to 30,000, and six hours would be mandated on Sunday.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
As Texas GOP moves to revive bill to limit voting, Democrats plot next moveTexas Republicans are pressing ahead with their push to restrict voting options after Democrats' weekend walkout stopped one of the nation's most aggressive efforts to limit voting.
Read more »
Texas GOP’s Push For Voting Restrictions Halted As Democrats Walk Out Of House FloorThe walkout by Democrats meant that the majority Republicans lacked the quorum needed to approve the bill before its midnight deadline.
Read more »
Democrats, progressives celebrate defeat of 'wicked' Texas voting bill following walkoutThe new restrictions looked almost certain to pass on Sunday despite criticism from President Joe Biden.
Read more »
Texas Democrats Stage Dramatic Walkout, Blocking Draconian Voting Bill (For Now)Texas Governor Greg Abbott is none too pleased that Democrats have succeeded in temporarily blocking one of the most restricting voting bills in the country, dreamed up by members of the Texas GOP.
Read more »
Texas Democrats Acknowledge GOP Will Probably Still Pass Voting Bill: ‘It’s Likely Not The End’Texas Democrats walked out of the state House floor on Sunday, blocking passage of a controversial election bill.
Read more »
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to withhold lawmaker pay after Dems block voting bill'I will veto Article 10 of the budget passed by the legislature. Article 10 funds the legislative branch. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,' Abbott tweeted Monday afternoon. 'Stay tuned.'
Read more »