Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2021

CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org

Bipartisan Chorus Warns Against Extreme Texas Elections Bills

In the wake of the Texas legislature attempting to move extremely partisan elections-related bills in the special session (SB 1 and HB 3), a bipartisan chorus of former elected officials, pollsters, advocates, community groups, and election officials have warned that the legislature is going too far. Here's what people are saying:

GOP Pollster Chris Perkins of Ragnar Research: "My latest poll found strong bipartisan support among Texas voters for policies that increase accessibility and accountability to voters within the Texas election system, including extending early voting, providing additional polling locations on Election Day and allowing voters to correct small errors on their mail ballots."

Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R): "Texas leaders would be wise to avoid restrictions on voting access, new barriers for voters with disabilities and other ideas that lead to insurmountable partisan disagreement...The strongest way forward is a process driven by best practices and objective data, rather than paranoia and partisanship."

Texas Rep. Lyle Larson (R-HD 122): “64% of Texas Republicans cast their ballots early. Republicans cast half of all absentee ballots in Texas' 2020 general election. Among all Republican voters 55 or older in Texas, 91% voted early or by mail. Are we trying to make it harder for Republican voters to vote?”

Former Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX-23): “The GOP will keep losing the popular vote until we recognize that a party based on values & ‘good ideas will attract more voters than suppression will deny.’ We can maintain the integrity of our elections AND increase the accessibility of voting at the same time.”

Trey Grayson, former Kentucky Secretary of State (R): "Texas Republican leaders have a choice in the newly begun special legislative session. They can continue to push bad bills that do nothing to improve the security of Texas elections. Or they can chart a different path and pursue genuine reforms that make voting easier and more secure. Republicans in Kentucky and Utah show that it can be done."

Harris County Election Administrator Isabel Longoria: "As the person charged with running elections - not just talking about them - I’m telling you the Texas election bills are BAD for voters." 

County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Election Administrators: "Poll watchers are vital to the election process. Often watchers come to the polls unaware of their eligibility or duties and unintentionally create issues at the poll. Additional language [to HB 3] could mitigate poll watchers relieved of their duties during an election."

Republicans for Voting Rights Director Olivia Troye: "The bills would threaten honest election workers with ridiculous crimes, give partisan poll watchers frightening degrees of access to voters, and further restrict opportunities to vote by mail." 

Texas AARP: "The right to vote is among the most basic of all civic and Constitutional rights. AARP favors laws and policies that encourage and do not hinder electoral participation. AARP is concerned that SB 1, (87-1) could impose a heavy burden and result in disproportionate and unnecessary risks of disenfranchising older voters in Texas."

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities Deputy Executive Director Chase Bearden: "We have the time. We’re calling a special. We’re bringing everyone back. We should take advantage of that by bringing a bill that represents all of Texas, not one side versus another but something that actually creates the belief that we’re going to improve our voting system and improve the way we can vote and ensure our votes count."

Secure Democracy Executive Director Sarah Walker: "Instead of rushing to pass partisan legislation that will only further undermine confidence in our elections and restrict the ability of older and disabled voters from casting a ballot, Secure Democracy urges legislative leaders to come together and prioritize election reforms that will create more transparent and fair elections for all Texans."

Common Cause Texas Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez: The bills would “make it even more difficult to vote, especially for senior, disabled, and low-income Texans."

NAACP Legal Defense Fund: "Texas House Bill 3  and Senate Bill 1 would impose severe, needless, and discriminatory restrictions on voting by mail, curbside voting, and the receipt and provision of voting assistance. They target for elimination the common-sense methods of voting, such as “drive-thru” voting and 24-hour early voting, that proved invaluable for Black and Latino voters in Texas’s largest cities in 2020. And both bills would empower partisan poll watchers to disrupt election administration—while criminalizing other election officials for simply doing their jobs by encouraging and facilitating access to the franchise for eligible, registered Texans."

Voto Latino CEO and President María Teresa Kumar: "Governor Abbott and the Republican-led Texas legislature simply aren’t registering how angry they’re making their constituents by forcing through this package of voter suppression laws."

League of Women Voters of Midland Board President Emily Holeva: “If the Texas Legislature really wants to secure and improve our elections, they should invest in upgraded equipment, expanded staffing for election administrators and required training for poll workers.”

 

Additional resources on SB1 & HB3:

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About Secure Democracy

Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, election integrity experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.