Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2021
CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org
Secure Democracy Applauds Governor Abbott for Signing Election Integrity and Transparency Through H.B. 1382
Urges Lawmakers to Continue to Take Bipartisan Action to Modernize Texas Elections
Austin, Texas— Legislation that will allow voters and election officials to track the progress of mail ballots was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott today after receiving bipartisan support in the Texas House and Senate during the Regular Session.
House Bill 1382 (Rep. John Bucy) would create an internet portal to let voters track their mail ballots. Current technology allows election officials to provide real-time information concerning the status of a voter’s ballot application and the location of a voter’s ballot to provide reassuring transparency for everyone involved in the election process.
“We know a bipartisan majority of Texas voters believe Texas’ elections already work well. That’s why we hope state leaders will use a special session to embrace positive reforms that the voters support,” said Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy.
A Secure Democracy statewide poll of Texas voters found that 83% of all Texas voters - including 75% of Republican voters - support using an electronic ballot tracking system for mail-in ballots.
Following the defeat of Senate Bill 7 during the Regular Session, further debate on election reform now moves to a special session to be called by Governor Greg Abbott.
“When lawmakers reconvene in Austin later this year, there is an opportunity to reset the debate and pursue reforms in a bipartisan manner. We hope state leaders will put politics aside and work together to strengthen every Texan’s freedom to vote, especially older voters, veteran and military voters, and voters with disabilities,” said Walker.
Secure Democracy urges lawmakers to advance the following policies in any special session election legislation:
Ballot cure. Ballot cure is a process that exists in many other conservative states, including Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky, and would notify voters about an honest, correctable issue with their mail ballot prior to rejecting them.
Paper trail. Many of Texas’ electronic voting machines do not provide a paper record of votes cast, which would allow election officials to verify the results of the election and assure voters of the integrity of the system. Recent statewide polling of likely voters found that 88% of Texas voters, including 89% of Republican voters, support requiring electronic voting machines to provide an auditable paper trail.
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About Secure Democracy
Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, election integrity experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.