Texas Supports Voting Reforms

To the Editor:

This morning’s Texas Tribune reports, “The fallout of Democrats’ Austin exodus to stop a proposed voting restrictions bill has begun.” So what the Dems are objecting to are the introduced HB 3 and SB 1,which contain key reforms such as:

• Adding voter identification to vote by mail, making it consistent with in-person voting

• Strengthening prohibitions against ballot harvesting

• Protecting poll watcher access, improving transparency

• Monthly reviews of voter rolls to verify their accuracy

It was reported by the Sentinel, “51 Democrats boarded a private jet to fly to Washington D.C. to deny a quorum” and “while there, plan to lobby for H.R. 1, ‘The Corrupt Politicians Act,’ which would undermine state’s ability to safeguard their elections.” Any leadership assignments given by Speaker Phelan, such as chairman, vicechairman, Speaker Pro Tempore, should be withdrawn from these individuals.

Also reported in the Tribune article, a statement by Sarah Labowitz, policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, “From the beginning, the governor designed this special session to suppress Texans’ civil liberties.” To use Sarah’s own words, it is not Gov. Abbott but the Democrats who are “refusing to listen” to constituents or “address the real needs of Texans” by walking out.

81% of Texans support the reforms, which are not restrictions, nor do they inhibit any registered voter access to the polls. I recently watched testimony given by Demitria Smith from Harris County to the special session voting integrity committee. Since I can’t say it better, I’m quoting Demitria’s statements; “I am for the bill. I am sick and tired of the narrative change from the real intent of this bill. I have read all 22 pages of the bill to educate myself. This is not a Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression bill! It is election super accountability 2.0. The Democrats are playing on emotions. They want to create chaos and are making a mockery of my black ancestors by mischaracterizing the bill. We need accountability. Keep this bill on track. The Republicans passed the civil rights bill. The Democrats didn’t want you to have voting rights.”

Rather than debate public policy proposals, we have witnessed elected representatives run away from their responsibilities. How sad.

Cindy Rodibaugh Flatonia