Special sessions that are called to adopt specific desired results demonstrate a failure in state leadership. Election reform should not be ramrodded through the process when our fundamental right to vote in Texas is at stake. Legislators are not listening to what voters truly want.
Voters want to vote by mail. The comprehensive election bill filed in this second special session, Senate Bill 1, would require new ID numbers to be included on vote-by-mail applications and return carrier envelopes. If the voter does not recall which optional ID was used when registering to vote, and provides the other ID number on the ballot application, the application is rejected! These additional voter ID numbers are not necessary to identify voters and will result in many rejections of both VBM applications and ballots.
Voters want safe polling places. SB 1 would allow poll watchers much greater freedom of movement in the polling place and allow them to sue election workers who they claim got in their way. This increased authority will create greater conflict in polling places. Election judges are responsible for keeping peace at the polling place and should not be subject to personal lawsuits by poll watchers.
Our recent elections show that Texas already has safeguards in place. Elections are a point of pride in our Texas communities; don’t turn them into an excuse for intimidating voters and throwing more people in jail. Our democracy can only survive if all citizens feel empowered to vote and participate!
Stan Raines, Brownsville
