Texas Democrats Prevent Republicans From Passing Restrictive Voting Bill
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
© LM Otero/Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas—Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving Republicans with no choice but to abandon a midnight deadline and declare the legislative session over.
The revolt is one of Democrats' biggest protests to date against nationwide GOP efforts to impose stricter election laws and they used the spotlight to urge President Biden to act on voting rights.
But the victory may be fleeting: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who had declared new voting laws a priority in Texas, said he would call for a special session to finish the job. He called the failure of the bill "deeply disappointing" but didn't say when he would bring lawmakers back to work.
"We've said for so many years that we want more people to participate in our democracy. And it just seems that's not the case," Democratic state Rep. Carl Sherman said.
One by one, Democrats left the House chamber until there was no longer the 100-member quorum needed to pass Senate Bill 7, which would have reduced polling hours, empowered poll watchers and scaled back ways to vote in Texas, which already has some of the nation's strictest voting laws.
They gathered later outside a Black church, driving home their anger over a last-minute change to the bill that would have prohibited Sunday voting before 1 p.m., when many Black worshipers go to the polls. Democrats said they didn't go into the vote intending to break quorum, but instead became fed up after Republicans repeatedly refused to take their questions while racing to pass the bill.
It was an stunning turnabout from just 24 hours earlier, when the bill seemed all but guaranteed to reach Mr. Abbott's desk. The Texas Senate had signed off before sunrise earlier Sunday after Republicans, who hold an 18-13 majority in the chamber, used a procedural move to suspend the rules and take up the measure in the middle of the night.
But as the day wore on, the GOP's chances wobbled. State Rep. Chris Turner, the Democratic House leader, said he sent a text message to members of his caucus at 10:35 p.m. telling them to leave the chamber. But even by that point, the exodus was already well under way.
"We knew today, with the eyes of the nation watching actions in Austin, that we needed to send a message, and that message is very, very clear: Mr. President, we need a national response to federal voting rights," Democratic state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said.
Republicans showed restraint in criticizing Democrats for the move.
"I am disappointed that some members decided to break quorum," said Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain, who carried the bill in the House. "We all know what that meant. I understand why they were doing it, but we all took an oath to Texans that we would be here to do our jobs."
Texas is the latest big battleground in Republicans' campaign to pass more restrictive voting laws, driven by former President Donald Trump's unproven claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Georgia and Florida also passed new voting restrictions, and on Saturday, Mr. Biden unfavorably compared Texas' bill to election changes in those states as "an assault on democracy."
Under revisions during closed-door negotiations, Republicans added language to the 67-page measure that would have made it easier for a judge to overturn an election. The bill would have also eliminated drive-through voting and 24-hour polling centers, both of which Harris County—the state's largest Democratic stronghold—introduced last year.
Major corporations joined the backlash, including Texas-based American Airlines Inc. and Dell, warning that the efforts could harm democracy and the economic climate. But Republicans shrugged off their objections and in some cases, ripped business leaders for speaking out. By the time the Texas bill was poised to pass over the Memorial Day weekend, the opposition from businesses had faded.
Since Mr. Trump's defeat, at least 14 states have enacted more restrictive voting laws, according to the New York-based Brennan Center for Justice. It has also counted nearly 400 bills filed this year nationwide that would restrict voting.
It wasn't the first time Texas Democrats—who have been out of power in Austin for decades—have been able to block contentious legislation despite being outnumbered.
They twice broke quorum in 2003 to stop Republican efforts to redraw voting maps, at one point leaving the state for Oklahoma. A decade later, former state Sen. Wendy Davis ran out the clock on a sweeping antiabortion bill with a filibuster that lasted more than 11 hours.
But in each instance, Republicans ultimately prevailed.
"We may have won the war tonight but the battle is not over," Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier said. "We will continue to fight and speak out against those measures that attempt to silence our voices."
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What does preventing voting before 1.p.m. on Sundays have to do with anything? Other than trying to cut down the black vote ?
I don't know where you are from, but here in the south, most African Americans go to church in the morning hours, then usually get out around noon.
At the same time, in mostly black districts, the poll workers are mostly black. This gives them the opportunity to go to church, then do their volunteered civic duty afterwards.
This has nothing to do with suppressing the black vote. If anything, it is to help blacks vote so they can attend church.
The issue is not really how many people this change would effect, since that is an unknown number. The issue is why are they making the change at all? CLEARLY, the change is meant to effect black turnout for their church sponsored voting efforts.
When you direct a voting rules change that seems to be aimed specifically at a racial group you've got problems.
And Abbott has the nerve to declare the need for these changes an "emergency" which requires a special session of the legislature. It is ludicrous.
Your opinion only, unsupported by any credible evidence.
Another conspiracy theory, perhaps?
They're trying .
[deleted]
So just your opinion.
You really don't know.
Is that a photo of Democrat Governor Northam of Virginia? The Blackface Governor?
Common sense just sent him a memo - Uh, no you don't.
I'm really trying to understand the problem here. This is early voting, correct? Correct me if I'm wrong but early voting runs for several days. In fact from what I found, early voting for the 2021 election starts Oct 18th, 2021 and ends Oct 29th, 2021. So in this case there are eleven days of early voting. And this is only in-person early voting, has nothing to do with a mail-in ballot or voting on election day.
Are we to assume that people cannot plan their life out any better and the only time in their lives to go vote would be on a Sunday morning? I could better understand the argument if Sunday was the only day where early in-person voting was allowed, but it's not. So can you better explain the problem?
There is only one reason to select Sunday morning early voting as the time period that needs to be eliminated. They know that is the time when many blacks go to vote with church groups.
So it appears that the Republicans in Texas are deliberately trying to lessen the black vote.
Texas needs a Stacy Abrams like figure down there to organize the minority vote and put an end to the truly laughable state leadership in Texas that Abbott and his clown show provide.
Your arguments is weak....
So what you are telling me is that blacks cannot get to the polling stations for early voting on any other time than Sunday mornings because to them going to vote is linked to their church? Or is it that they need to get a ride either from someone else at the church or that the church would provide a bus to transport the voters from the church to the polling station and back again?
Because it seems to me that it would be a simple matter for transportation to be moved to hours that match up with polling station hours. Or they could look to vote on another day when Texas has the early voting stations open from 6:00am to 9:00pm. Or they could request a mail-in ballot.
Sorry but your argument about blacks not being able to vote seem a bit racist where you assume they cannot find any other solution and are dependent on their church to manage their activities.
There are other pieces of this law that I don't agree with. I do not agree with the elimination of drop boxes, they do need to be secure but I don't see them as a huge problem. Same with drive-thru voting, so long as the proper security is set up then drive-thru voting while manpower intensive I think should still be allowed. And to me the limit on having polling stations not open on Sunday morning could also be seen as trying to keep separate church and state, so that a state function (polling stations) to not interfere with church functions.
I dont assume any such thing, but I bet you the Republicans in Texas do, otherwise why make this new rule ? It doesnt make any sense other than as a way to try and reduce black voting.
The truly disturbing thing about the R BS bill is granting judges the authority to overturn elections with no proof of fraud.
That's what people were saying when Trumpublicans said they needed to change voting rules in the first place.
What you can assume is Governor Abbott and his co-horts in conservative-Texas are messing with liberal Texans rights and privileges to expand the voting franchise to meet their needs and those needs of their population. If that is not the case, Governor Abbott would have accepted that a "good thing" was occurring during those hours of Sunday voting and left it alone. Some conservatives are manipulating the rules, because they can, seeking to mis-match the 2020 outcome (which saw more people voting than EVER before).
Call bull patty out when and where you find it. No chaser, please.
So why do it and make a 'wave' for liberals to ride, Snuffy? Why is it always Republican legislatures who see fraud and need of fraud resolution where it is not evidenced. Why fix the 2020 voting scheme when it worked better than any voting scheme this country ever put forth?
Answer the questions fairly and plainly. . . and stop toting a party-line.
And what kind of judge would do so without a proper hearing and trial? It's racist I tell you. And I am sick and tired of republicans always vexxing our spirits! We do this every year or two and it "F" us (all) up in the head, mind, and spirit.
Why can't we elect genuine, trustworthy people across the board? They don't have to be perfect just 'perfected' and approachable. Not these silly anarchists and party malcontents who want people to kiss their 'boots and butts' and share nothing good with others country dwellers.
I can ask the same question to you about H.R. 1. Why should the Democrats be looking to change things if the 2020 election was so grand?
There were some things that happened in 2020 that I was not comfortable with and some of it can be tightened up. I'm not in favor of sending ballots to every person on the voting roles which some areas tried to do. I'm not in favor of just anybody bringing ballots into a polling station (ie, ballot harvesting). I believe AZ handles this properly, ballots can be brought in by family members or people living in the same household, but not by political operatives. I believe that some of the changes put in for the 2020 elections were put in at the last minute without the proper law behind it. States are responsible for the election process, it should not be just one person regardless if that one person is a governor, a president, a state secretary. Changes need to be put in by the state legislators by law.
I really feel this Texas law is a lot like the recent Georgia law, and the outrage over it is more partisan politics than actual harm. There are parts in the Texas laws I don't agree with and parts i do agree with. But so far the only line of discussion I have responded to is the one where polling stations are to be closed Sunday morning until 1pm in the afternoon during early voting. I'm being told it's racist because that's when most blacks go to vote. It hasn't been shown that the majority of blacks do vote during those hours. I have no doubt there is a large number that would go to church and immediately after church hop into the church van for a drive down to the polling station. But is that most blacks? I don't know because I've not seen any numbers. I've been told that having the hours of early voting like this is racist, but if it impacts all people regardless of race then please explain how that is racist.
Similar to the arguments against the Georgia voting laws, this argument seems to be running along party line talking points from both sides.
And those changes need to be proper and common-sense, if a more efficient better OUTCOME is the goal. When one side is leaving its opposition out while imposing extreme practices, policies, rules, and laws-people (the 'rusty wheel principle') are going to speak up and should!
Full-stop.
It is racist, because a select group of legislators and its select governor are singling out a group or groups of voters and areas of the state for special consideration and treatment (or mis-treatment). These groups have the experiential understanding and background to know the difference, patterns, and trends that attack their communities. That is, these groups have been haunted, hounded, and obstructed time and time again through a process named, voter suppression.
Forgive me, it is not necessary to quantify how many Blacks, Minorities, or Whites attend "Souls To The Poles" - if the practice is determined sound, legal, and a valuable resource it should be allowed to work at its efficient best, all things considered.
The Texas Republicans and Some Conservatives whined and the Texas Democrats griped back! The Gripers are going to win on this one issue.
Now on to the next problem area of the bill. "Adjust this."
Dodge much? Admit it the attempt at theft of voting liberty has suffered a grave set-back (on this one issue). Let's see if more setbacks on this bill is in store!
I am happy; are you happy representative oversight arrived in the nick of time? YAY!
It’s hard to take seriously the left’s narrative about an assault on democracy in a state that gives voters two weeks to cast a vote.
It's also hard to take seriously the right's narrative they HAD to change the rules because of fraud which they can't find.
Texan democrats are not fools. They fully understand when a governor is accidentally stepping on policy and when policy is a solid kick in the voting franchise. Governor Abbott is pulling red-state "backroom" manipulate and confuse the vote stuff and seriously Texan conservatives are highly probably not done yet. Better to call Abbott's ASS out here and now. Shout it from the 'rooftops.'
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF CONSERVATIVES WEAK RATIONALES FOR PLAYING GAMES OF 'CATCH US IF YOU CAN' WITH OUT VOTE FRANCHISE!!!
I think them walking out is karma for those shit stained R's voting against a commission to investigate the riot. They can dish it out but can't take and what goes around comes around.
Because Texas has "souls to the poles" (at least that is implied). When some other state adds 'souls' and then snatch it away from the people who wish to keep it, then your question will benefit discussion.
I could ask you the inverse, why can't SOME CONSERVATIVES develop their own "souls to the polls"? And keep their selfish hands off legal promotions and services Black people find to make life work for their community interests, attitudes, and resources?
Some conservatives keep SAYING they wish Black Americans would "get it together" but as is the conservative norm, it is not "togetherness" that is wished from Blacks; it is subordination. No Chaser!
Some conservatives can sigh all the want. But, sighing is not helpful. Therefore, what some conservatives want is not helpful to voting, like sighing.
Some conservatives talk a good 'game' until those who have been through the practice of oppression step up to SAY what it really is to have you recommending and voting down our liberal liberties-while gaming the system for conservative self-interests.
SOSDD (Right on!)
Well some conservatives let me put it this way: We don't give a damn if some conservatives think we are whiners. Because we know some conservatives are full of bull patty. And when some conservatives stop playing with their cornucopia of 'cards' and leave liberal voting rights and privileges alone only then will it be ' a brand new day' for our nation.
If some conservatives want to climb up on their soapboxes and talk 'patty' - bring it. As I'm serving my commentary without 'chaser'!
How does it cut down the Back vote?
Go to church, have lunch or Sunday dinner, then go vote.
Imaginary problem solved.
Did democrats NEED Abbott's advice on how to go vote? NO. So what is some conservatives problem with liberal legal voting systems, styles, and actions?
Do some conservatives experience liberals and progressives giving a shit about how they vote? No! Liberals throw the franchise wide open, because it works that way!
And yet it is Governor Abbott and conservatives that are striving to take away liberties (in furtherance of liberty)? Fix your commentary around that fact when you comment on who is feeling puny and in need of feeling that they need to matter more to voters who don't care about conservatism and its patrons.
The current system in Texas worked exceedingly well in 2020. But, Texas Governor Abbott is a political whore who is selling 'leg' because he is a limited figure scared of change! Well, Texas is 'purple' politically and its likely to hue-over again as people migrate into 'Tesla country.'
I'll give you inconsistency and let you call it whatever floats some conservatives' boat:
VERIFY: Yes, Gov. Abbott said he plans to sign new gun legislation into law
Texas voting bill heads to Abbott's desk after contentious debate
Some more inconsistency for some conservatives, that SAY a great many bull patty things:
Gov. Greg Abbott signs 'back the blue' bills into law | KVUE
But don't do 'patty' consistently. There the only governor of the state is appeasing some conservatives' (through 'dictate') and messing over the liberals (by quenching hopes of ending racial injustice in policing).
Clearly Some conservatives and Governor Abbott think that Texas Police are 'right and proper' to racially kick Texan asses with a so-called, "Law and Order" doctrine*, and that rank and file liberal voices that wish some "re-imagining of police" can go somewhere else, shut up, or just piss off! (That's not going to happen, nevertheless!)
* We know through experiential circumstances that phrases like "Law and Order State" used by some conservatives is just a dog whistle to suppression of Blacks and minorities specifically.
And you can keep talking out of an echo chamber! It makes about as much sense, as what you're getting is all that you put in. Partisan hack-ery is a thing.
I have given you evidence and you just pass it up for bull patty. How are you a fair-minded participant?
Says you as expected. Call it or dismiss this activity however you wish. Some conservatives are known to support 'combat' and hurling dust up in the air, over sound reasoning. It will be/and is being met with appropriate resistance and already "griping" is yielding returns: @1.4.17.
Spin doctors - well spin!
Well I'm good: How about you, Texan? (Donald Trump.is a selfish pig! For 'breaking' the Republican Party into a shell of its former self!)
Trump manages state ballot audits and state elections rigging from his desk in Mara Lago. Just sayin. It's an outrage. But do carry on now with blinders on. . . .
We all see (and imagine) that big 'Cluck' sitting on his Mara Lago roost directing lieutenants and sycophants to 'Come!' and "Go!" You don't have to tell us anything; we can piece the scraps and bits together circumstantially for now. (Smile.)
I see "stupid (people)" in the execution.
@1.6.17 I see "stupid (people)" in the execution.
thus the screened inn porch
The GOP, blockers of Democracy, in actions reactionary to the LYING and inaction of the Republican faction to properly represent ALL of the peoples, as they deny anything making it easier for ALL OF THE PEOPLES, to vote. From the valleys to the Steeples, they are Fcking over the peoples for and by whom they are allegedly there to represent, and ALL should resent their attempt to defy what OUR COUNTRY WAS BUILT UPON, as the masses that give these fckers passes also, especially on MEMORIAL DAY, disgrace what so many gave LIFE and Limb for. Our Country is worth so much more....
Every voter this affects should vote blue and send these R morons packing.
A good gesture-- but their Neanderthal governor will take action soon.
Good...as he should
I triple-dog-dare Gov. Abbott to piss off American Airlines.
And Tesla Inc. . . wonder what's Eli Musk's opinion on being a new partner in a state that narrows the power of people just for selfish political interests and power-grabbing control.
Still waiting for you to explain why the Sunday voting times needed to be tweaked.
It will be a long wait won't it?
So you are Eli Musk 'plaining' now too? Or do you have an Musk opinion piece on this subject or associated thoughts? Yes or No?
What's it to Texas Republican legislators when democrats legally vote? 'Red' Texans could just have easily used the 'Blue' Texans time-allotment to their advantage. So what's the problem when voting succeeds that Governor Abbott is rushing to fix? It's working? Why "tinker around" with it? No bull patty.
So you "probably" don't know what Eli Musk thoughts are about this. It is interesting that he once/still/has a residence wherever he wants in California (too). He certainly understands liberal politics without a doubt. But I don't know and I simply wonder about the man: Eli Musk and Tesla and Texas politics messing stuff up.
Yes. . . you did - didn't you? /sarcasm.
And I questioned why Governor Abbott in the aftermath of a successful voter count for 2020 general election: what's the problem when voting succeeds that Governor Abbott is rushing to fix? It's working? Why "tinker around" with it?
Did you already explain the WHY, Texan? No bull patty.
For flips and giggles I am in California.
Eli Musk is a visionary leader. Such intelligentsia don't usually stir the fires of local politics. But when the locals are so disturbed and vexated that they are prepared to cut commercial noses off to spite faces, Eli Musk condescend to peruse such matters. That's why I wonder what Mr. Musk is thinking about Texas messing with voting rights and privileges.
Me too. Howdy neighbor.
HOWDY Paula!
I don't think he will be around much longer. Support for Matthew M. to run is growing with both R's and D's.
The very thought makes me all tingly and giddy.
That man is so fine that I just want to put him on a plate and sop him up with a biscuit.
Have you seen A Time To Kill? If you haven't, watch it and I dare you not to cry during his court final summation.
They dont even try to hide their bigotry.
What bigotry is that, John?
I think they are running out of new terms to use to demean anyone that does not think like them, so they have to recycle the old ones, even when they don't know what most of them mean.
How so, Tess...
Be specific.
Just because you THINK something is straight up doesn't make it so.
Are blacks unable to vote the other 10 days of early voting, or are they only limited by Sundays?
Why do you think blacks are so unable to do anything without a white liberal telling them to?
Why do you think some conservatives live in Trump's bowels? Some conservatives are getting lessons on how to perpetuate hate and lack of diversity. Why is that not an issue for them? Why all the lies, deceit, and ignoring the other side of America? We're not going away, so y'all might as well get clear on telling us what the problem is. Talk about republican partisanship for a change, "bugsy."
Why do you bring up Trump when no one else has?
Why does he still live in your mind 24/7 six months after the election?
Why do "white liberals" live 24/7 in your head? How it is that benefiting you?
We can all spend time passing back and forth circular and pointless questions. Why not just get to the point?!
Again, that only racists hear...hint...you heard it
Yeah, that does not work here. We feel and live through oppression and suppression from racist-treatment of policies, issues, and law enactments. As a result, it's wise to listen up for dog whistles as and act of prevention.
Am I talking to you? Nope, so go away.
I doubt that Republicans even think that tinkering with Sunday voting hours is actually going to affect black voter turnout, since it’s a pretty simple hurdle to overcome. They are more interested in the racist dog whistle of the message. It’s more like an advertisement to attract racists to their cause. The real concern is the measures they are imposing to overturn elections. I think we are going to see a lot of widespread legalized voter fraud, Republican style.
What leftists don't understand is that the Constitution calls for one day of elections, not multiple days, Saturday, Sundays, etc...only on a Tuesday, and a specific one at that
Any other day than that Tuesday is a convenience given by each state.
Anyone complaining they can't vote on a day other than the first Tuesday of November are nothing more than a bunch of whiny little bitches.
And what does that make some conservatives who can't stomach the fact that when voting is expansive, their sorry 'stop the world' so we can get off policies and programs for overachievers get drowned in a political bathtub? I know it's frightening to know that in a fair (state) fight, many voters don't give a rank __ about conservatism.
Abbott will dock their pay and the law will pass in special session.