Election, Voting Bills Top the Agenda for Texas’ 88th Legislative Session

Election, Voting Bills Top the Agenda for Texas’ 88th Legislative Session
The Texas State Capitol is seen on the first day of the 87th Legislature's third special session in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 20, 2021. Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images
Jana J. Pruet
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Many Texas state lawmakers have spent the last couple of months pre-filing and refiling bills ahead of the state’s 88th regular legislative session, which convened on Tuesday. More than 70 pre-filed bills are related to voting and election laws.

Republicans aim to pass legislation to create county-level forensic audit processes, appoint election marshals, record ballot counting, enforce election laws, and increase the penalties for illegal voting. At the same time, Democrat voting and election proposals are mostly related to developing electronic voter registration, expanding the forms of acceptable voter identification, registering voters at polling sites, and qualifying and registering convicted felons, among others.

Republicans Aim to Pass Legislation Protecting Voter Rights

Concerns for “voter irregularities” in Harris County prompted two Republicans, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt and state Rep. Valoree Swanson, to file companion bills, SB 220 (pdf) and HB 549 (pdf), respectively, in November. Bettencourt and Swanson represent districts that encompass portions of Houston in Harris County.
Jana J. Pruet
Jana J. Pruet
Author
Jana J. Pruet is an award-winning investigative journalist. She covers news in Texas with a focus on politics, energy, and crime. She has reported for many media outlets over the years, including Reuters, The Dallas Morning News, and TheBlaze, among others. She has a journalism degree from Southern Methodist University. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]
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