My ability to vote is precious to me and my community - HB 3 is an attack on our right to vote. During the regular session, the comprehensive election bill, SB 7, failed to pass. Now, another comprehensive election bill, HB 3, will soon be heard on the House floor, and I urge you to vote NO. My particular concerns are:
This letter is the result of study of the bill by the League of Women Voters of Texas. I am a proud member of this non-partisan group who stand for Voter’s Rights.
HB 3 would make voting by mail a much more precarious process: if the additional required voter ID number on the application to vote by mail does not match the voter ID number on the voter's application for voter registration, the application to vote by mail is rejected. Similarly, if the additional required voter ID number on the carrier envelope does not match the number on the application for voter registration, the ballot is rejected. It's easy to see how this mismatch can inadvertently happen - HB 3 could disenfranchise many voters who rely on voting by mail. In Wichita County, more mail in ballots are sent by Republicans than Democrats. You will be throwing out both party votes.
HB 3 would threaten the safety of the polling place by giving poll watchers more freedom to observe any activity or procedure, yet it limits the authority of the election official to remove them. Even when they violate election laws (including intimidating voters), poll watchers cannot be removed unless an election official personally witnessed the violation, AND the poll watcher was already given a warning. This is the most ridiculous part of the bill. We know exactly why you put it in.
We all want safe and secure elections, and I believe that our recent elections show that we have enough safeguards in place. When you consider your vote on HB 3, I ask you to weigh the price that Texans and our democracy will pay if more people are disenfranchised. Our democracy can only survive if all citizens feel empowered to vote and participate. I urge you to vote No on HB 3.
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