Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2023

CONTACT: press@securedemocracyusa.org

Vetoes, Bill Signings Deliver Mixed Bag for Texas Voter Freedom

Some Positive Progress to Improve Vote-by-Mail, Ballot Cure

AUSTIN, Texas – In response to the end of the veto period and recent bill signings by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Secure Democracy USA’s Senior Policy Director Daniel Griffith released the following statement:

“As the dust settles on Gov. Abbott’s bill signings and vetoes, it’s clear the Texas Legislature made some improvements to vote-by-mail and ballot cure processes, but also undercut local control of elections. 

“While the Legislature delivered improved access for voters with disabilities at polling places, Gov. Abbott’s veto, based on a faulty reading of the bill, of a secure system for voters with disabilities, to cast their ballots remotely is a major blow to access for voters with disabilities. We strongly urge the governor and legislature to work together to pass this bill.”

Texas made progress with these new laws:

S.B. 1599 - Makes significant improvements to Texas’s vote-by-mail and ballot cure processes, including a streamlined, uniform cure process, improvements to the online ballot tracking system, and a cure process for minor errors in mail ballot applications.

H.B. 357 - Makes improvements to the state’s online ballot tracking to include mail ballot application status.

S.B. 477 - Improves voter access with accommodations at polling places for voters with disabilities.

Secure Democracy USA encourages Gov. Abbott and the Legislature to pass  H.B. 3159: 

H.B. 3159 - The vetoed legislation received bipartisan, near unanimous support in the Texas House and Senate and would have allowed voters, who qualified for mail ballots due to disability, and who need assistance casting ballots by mail to do so privately and securely by using an electronic system to make their choices. 

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Secure Democracy USA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization that works to build confidence in our elections and improve voter access across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We use sophisticated survey and messaging research to inform our strategy and we collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, policy  experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.