The End of Texas Democrat Stalling: Quorum Is Restored, Paving Way For Election Integrity Bill
Democrat attempts to block election integrity bills in Texas have come to an end. Now, Republican lawmakers are scrambling to protect one of Texans’ most sacred rights.
Texas is the last major Republican-controlled state to pass election security bills. It is now only a matter of weeks after enough Democratic lawmakers ended their standoff on Thursday, restoring a quorum in the state House of Representatives by the tiniest of margins.
Nearly 30 Democrats abandoned their duties and fled to Washington, D.C. in July. They flew private and maskless, angering many constituents. The hive-mind wrote an open letter to Democrat colleagues who chose to return to Texas.
“We are disappointed that a few Democrats chose to return to the floor. We feel betrayed and heartbroken, but our resolve is strong and this fight is not over,” the statement read.
The three Democrats who returned to their duties — Armando Walle, Ana Hernandez, and Garnet Coleman — defended their return in a statement released Thursday, saying they had pushed Congress on voting rights legislation while pointing to the growing urgencies in the country.
Texas Republicans have been trying for months to pass legislation prohibiting 24-hour polling sites, banning drive-through voting, and allowing partisan poll watchers more access. Those provisions are still in a Senate-passed bill.
By September 5, the bill must reach Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Republicans will have to start over and try a fourth time if it doesn’t.
“I think that bill will be back and forth between us and the Senate a little bit,” said state Rep. Jim Murphy, chairman of the Republican House Caucus.
The bill’s emphasis on partisan poll watchers will generate witnesses in case there are any disputes. This protection applies to both parties.
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