Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2021
CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org
Texas Leaders Must Reject Calls for Partisan Investigation of 2020 Election
Vast, Bipartisan Majority of Texas Voters Reject the Injection of Partisan Influence into Texas Elections
In reaction to the filing of House Bill 241 that calls for a partisan investigation of Texas’ 2020 election, Secure Democracy Executive Director Sarah Walker issued the following statement:
“Texas voters have made clear that they have trust in their local elections and want to continue participating in fair elections that are free from partisan interference. That’s why leaders across the state should reject calls for a partisan investigation into Texas’ elections. An investigation of Texas’ 2020 elections similar to the one taking place in Arizona is unjustified, expensive, and would create a partisan political circus.”
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Texas voters express satisfaction and confidence in Texas election systems
Two recent polls conducted by Ragnar Research and commissioned by Secure Democracy show that Texas voters have strong confidence in the integrity of Texas’s voting systems and oppose attempts by partisans to interfere in elections.
97% of Texas voters reported a positive personal voting experience in 2020.
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.
86% of Texas voters believe the state’s management of the 2020 elections went well.
75% of Texas voters oppose making it easier for partisan judges to overturn the election results.
70% of Texas voters oppose making it easier for local candidates to overturn the election results.
66% of Texas voters do NOT believe voter fraud occurred in the 2020 elections.
60% of Texas voters believe Texas’ election management is better than other states.
To view Ragnar Research’s March 2021 polling memo, click here.
To view Ragnar Research’s July 2021 polling memo, click here.
Texas Secretary of State’s Office: 2020 election was “smooth and secure.”
Keith Ingram, the chief of elections at the Texas secretary of state’s office, had previously told Texas legislators that Texas “had an election that was smooth and secure” in 2020.
Texas investigation would be bigger and more costly than Arizona’s review
Although much of the Arizona election review was privately funded, Arizona taxpayers are likely already on the hook for $3 million dollars to replace voting equipment that was tainted by the Arizona Senate’s review of elections in Maricopa County. But unlike Arizona, the proposed Texas election investigation will not be limited to two races in one county and may not be privately funded. The proposed Texas investigation would review ballots in at least 13 counties with a combined population 4 times as large as Maricopa County, AZ. This investigation would also not be limited to just two races like the Arizona review, but could review every race on ballots that included many federal, state, and local offices.
Not only would the Texas investigation be far more wide-ranging than the Arizona review, but it would also likely lead to an even higher bill for Texas taxpayers. It remains unclear how a Texas election investigation would be funded. Based on what has been proposed by Texas lawmakers, the investigation would be an unfunded mandate for local election officials and county administrators that would likely cost Texas taxpayers millions of dollars. These funds would be better spent to actually strengthen Texas elections by opening more polling places, hiring more election workers, and replacing old, outdated election equipment.
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 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.
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.
###
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.