Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2021

CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org

Put Texas Voters First In Second Special Session

On election policy, lawmakers should focus on bipartisan solutions to strengthen voting access and prevent partisan interference

AUSTIN, TX —  In response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott calling for a second legislative special session that will take up election policy, Secure Democracy issued the following statement:

“Texas voters deserve policies that both protect the integrity of our elections from partisan interference and ensure every eligible Texan has the freedom to vote,” said Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy. “Instead of trying to legislate from their partisan corners, which will only lead to more division and distrust in our system, Texas legislators should work towards bipartisan solutions that a majority of Texas voters support, including expanding early voting options, allowing voters to fix simple mistakes on their mail ballots, and passing online voter registration.”

RECENT SECURE DEMOCRACY/RAGNAR RESEARCH POLL: BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR INCREASED VOTING ACCESSIBILITY AND ELECTION ACCOUNTABILITY IN TEXAS 

“Texans support lawmakers pressing ‘reset’ on election reforms in the special session, focusing on enhanced accountability and access — not political interference or new restrictions,” wrote Chris Perkins, partner at Ragnar Research, based on a recent statewide poll he conducted for Secure Democracy. 

The July 2021 poll found strong bipartisan support for election reforms that strengthen free and fair elections in Texas and rejects partisan attempts to weaken confidence in election integrity:

  • 93% of Texas voters believe that poll watchers should have proper training; 86% of voters do not want poll watchers to film or photograph their votes

  • 91% of Texas voters say the legislature should not be allowed to reject or overturn election results without clear proof of fraud

  • 90% of Texas voters believe state lawmakers should take steps to protect their elections from partisan interference

  • 87% of Texas voters support increasing the number of polling locations on Election Day, including 69% of Republicans

  • 86% of Texas voters said election workers shouldn’t worry about risking jail time for doing their jobs

  • 86% of Texas voters oppose felony charges for providing assistance to voters with disabilities or voters with other unique needs at polling locations

  • 74% of Texas voters want to expand the accessibility of early voting by one week, and 80% of voters want to add a second weekend of early voting

  • 69% of Texas voters want to create a consistent process to allow voters to correct any errors on mail-in ballots before they are tossed out, including 60% of Republican voters

 

SECURE DEMOCRACY URGES LEGISLATORS TO UNITE BEHIND COMMON SENSE REFORMS THAT STRENGTHEN TEXAS ELECTIONS

Measures enjoying bipartisan support that Secure Democracy continues to urge lawmakers to advance during the special session on election reform include:

  • Ballot cure. Ballot cure is a process that exists in many other conservative states, including Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky, and would notify voters about an honest, correctable issue with their mail ballot prior to rejecting them. Six states, including Indiana, North Dakota, and Kentucky, have already enacted statutory notice and cure processes this year.

  • Online Voter Registration. Texas should implement a statewide online voter registration system to serve new and existing voters, like those already available in 40 states. Local Texas election administrators support the creation of an online voter registration system. 

  • Expanded Early Voting. Early voting is wildly popular in Texas and Texans want more opportunities to cast their ballots in person. Nearly three in four Texas voters support expanding the early voting period by a week, with even more wanting a second weekend of early voting. Last year, over 4 million Texans voted during the extra week of early voting Governor Abbott authorized.

  • Accessible Mail Ballots for Visually-Impaired Voters. Lawmakers should enact a procedure for voters with visual impairments to receive accessible mail ballots for which they can use assistive software to complete remotely and securely before mailing the ballot back to election officials. Indiana, North Dakota, Illinois, and Virginia have already enacted such legislation this year.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON RECENT TEXAS ELECTION LEGISLATION

 

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Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. They educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting system, and 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, of justice, equality and the common good. Online at secure-democracy.org.