Texas Republicans revive restrictive voting bill as dozens testify against it | Texas
From www.theguardian.com
2021-08-23 23:05:00
Excerpt:
Texas Republicans brought back their voting bill Monday with no changes as some Democrats returned to the Capitol for the first time since ending their holdout, making it clear that the bill is on track to become law after their 38-day walkout.
Dozens of people showed up to testify before lawmakers to seize their last chance for public input on the the bill that will tighten voting rules in ways the GOP says will ensure election integrity and that Democrats say amounts to voter suppression for disabled people and minorities.
Senate Bill 1 would make mail voting a stricter process, increase liberties for poll watchers, and prohibit 24-hour and drive-through voting, two ways that Harris county – which includes Houston and where 44% of the nearly 5m residents are Latino and 20% are Black – expanded options for voters and also offered protections against the coronavirus.
Candis Houston, who lives in Houston, said she arrived in Austin on Sunday night so she could show up early Monday…