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Guess what? It's time for another livetweet by our Policy & Advocacy Strategist @lapinchedarcy! This time it's on the awful voter suppression bill HB 6/SB 7 in the #txlege. Here's what you need to know about the bill:
Election officials would be charged with a state jail felony if they proactively send vote by mail applications to voters (even those that automatically qualify) unless they specifically requested it. For context, that's the equivalent of committing animal cruelty. #txlege
It would turn poll watchers into vigilantes who can only be removed if they've committed a crime related to the election -- harassment of voters, giving misleading info, or even using a racial slur would not be enough for them to be removed. #txlege
Unnecessary requirements and hurdles would be added for disabled and limited English proficient voters and anyone assisting them. It means more paperwork and opportunities for errors. #txlege
This bill was rushed through the normal process because Republicans know their days in control are numbered and they're trying to cling to power by preventing voters of color, working people, and young people from voting. #txlege
HB 6/SB 7 hasn't been brought up yet, but keep an eye on this thread - I'll check back in with y'all once it starts! #txlege
In the meantime, the House floor just convened and you can watch here: https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=8&event_id=6453
In the meantime, the House floor just convened and you can watch here: https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=8&event_id=6453
While we wait, check out this video on why HB 6/SB 7 will be *really* bad for voters if passed by the #txlege: https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1389348800758702085?s=20
And here's this excellent piece by the @HoustonChron on HB 6/SB 7 and The Big Lie #txlege: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-GOP-shows-little-integrity-in-16143226.php
Also, we're about an hour or so away from the start of the HB 6/SB 7 debate which is the perfect amount of time to call your state rep and ask them to vote NO on HB 6/SB 7 and tell them why it matters! #txlege https://p2a.co/EVYdsyj
ok, the House is taking a lunch break until 1:45PM (good for them) which means:
buckle up folks; it's gonna be a long day #txlege
buckle up folks; it's gonna be a long day #txlege
Members are slowly starting to trickle back in, so now's a good time to remind y'all that though HB 6 is on the calendar, it's going to become SB 7 -- here's why 
#txlege
#txlege
.........and HB 6 is postponed until 5pm #txlege
as an aside - the figurative temperature on the floor is rising and we haven't even started on HB 6. #txlege
ok y'all it's starting!! HB 6/SB 7 is up!! #txlege
Briscoe Cain is laying out SB 7 and Rep. @jessicafortexas begins her questioning with a long line of Dems waiting behind her. #txlege
When asked if he agrees with the @TXsecofstate's office statement that we had a "safe and secure" election, Chair Cain says that that's their "opinion". He then becomes wishy-washy when he's called out for disagreeing with his own resource witness. #txlege
"if it's not broken, what are we trying to fix?" - Rep. @jessicafortexas #txlege
Despite being told repeatedly in committee by civil rights organizations like @TXCivilRights, @MALDEF, @NAACP_LDF, @DisRightsTx that this bill would have disparate impacts on marginalized groups.......Chair Cain says he just "disagrees". Shame. #txlege
. @TexasHDC Chair @ChrisGTurner asks Chair Cain about the amount of "voter fraud" in the 2020 general election....and he isn't able to speak about specific instances of "fraud". #txlege
Chair @ChrisGTurner brings up the 22k staff hours that were spent 16 cases of voter fraud. All Chair Cain says is you can't find what you don't look for (as if 22,000 hours wasn't enough) #txlege https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Ken-Paxton-s-beefed-up-2020-voter-fraud-unit-15820210.php
"Is this legislation a part of The Big Lie perpetrated by President Donald Tr*mp?" - Chair @ChrisGTurner, in reference to Cain flying to PA to litigate the 2020 election (the tweet was mysteriously deleted...) #txlege
. @MALCTx Chair @RafaelAnchia brings up the history of the phrase "purity of the ballot box" being used as a justification for states to disenfranchise groups deemed unfit to vote. This is language used in SB 7. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia asks what the reasoning was behind using that phrase - Cain says that he looks to the constitution for guidance.
Chair Anchía mentions that the provision Cain references was intended to disenfranchise Black voters following the Civil War. #txlege
Chair Anchía mentions that the provision Cain references was intended to disenfranchise Black voters following the Civil War. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia also mentions that that language gave rise to all-white primaries, was used during the Jim Crow Era to keep Black people voting, and more.
For such an avid fan of the constitution, Chair Cain hasn't read much of the history of it, it seems. #txlege
For such an avid fan of the constitution, Chair Cain hasn't read much of the history of it, it seems. #txlege
He continues and mentions that multiple findings of discrimination against the #txlege, and asks why, in light of this, there wasn't an analysis done on the potential disparate racial impact it might have.
Chair Cain says he just didn't think it'd do it. #txlege
Chair Cain says he just didn't think it'd do it. #txlege
Chair Cain says that when he was brought forth fixes he said "I don't like that" (???) because they had a disparate impact. Literally says it was a gut feeling. Yikes. #txlege
In a noticeable trend among Republicans (see: SB 8), they either look at their bills in a vacuum or they're feigning ignorance as to what they do. In either case, it's so disingenuous and frustrating to see. #txlege
"I didn't believe [a racial impact analysis] was necessary" - Chair Cain, despite being told in committee it would be a good idea by civil rights advocates. #txlege
while we wait on a parliamentary inquiry (aka a formal question) to see if they can extend Cain's time at the podium for more Qs.....
sometimes I wish I was the senate messenger who takes a sheet of paper to the House only to be interrupted after half a sentence by the gavel
sometimes I wish I was the senate messenger who takes a sheet of paper to the House only to be interrupted after half a sentence by the gavel
ok time is officially extended (at least for the layout of the bill) until 7:15pm. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia mentions how SB 7 puts limits the ability of a poll worker to remove a poll watcher - and Cain says "yes".
Reminder that things like "intimidation" or "slurs" would not be enough to remove a poll watcher under this bill. #txlege
Reminder that things like "intimidation" or "slurs" would not be enough to remove a poll watcher under this bill. #txlege
Also, in case you thought voting rights advocates and legislators were getting any sleep tonight... #txlege https://twitter.com/jamestalarico/status/1390406883136180224?s=20
. @txblackcaucus Chair @NicoleCollier95 asks if intimidating a voter would be enough reason to remove a poll watcher - Cain believes they need to call the police instead 
or maybe we can just let the judge remove them #txlege
or maybe we can just let the judge remove them #txlege
Chair @NicoleCollier95 also brings up Dallas poll watchers being escorted out for peering over the shoulders of voters - highlighting how giving poll watcher free reign over a polling place can lead to abuse of power. #txlege
Ok, layout time has expired and we're on amendments.
Rep. @jessicafortexas puts forth an amendment striking the enacting clause ("BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:") -- this is a move to talk more about why the bill is so harmful. #txlege
Rep. @jessicafortexas puts forth an amendment striking the enacting clause ("BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:") -- this is a move to talk more about why the bill is so harmful. #txlege
Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas brings up how the governor also couldn't point to "voter fraud" and how the @TXsecofstate said we had a smooth and secure election. #txlege
She mentions her first time voting ever, and how her mail-in ballot was rejected, and there was no cure. This bill would lead to more instances of that. #txlege
"Poll watching is not a constitutional right" says Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas -- she's right!
The vast majority of polling places across the state DO NOT have poll watchers. #txlege
The vast majority of polling places across the state DO NOT have poll watchers. #txlege
Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas mentions how the AG's office pretended like their "500 cases" figure were all individual persons, when -- in reality -- it was multiple charges per person.
According to a fact-check, the actual number is 43 people. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Fact-checking-Texas-lawmaker-s-claim-of-400-16095858.php
According to a fact-check, the actual number is 43 people. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Fact-checking-Texas-lawmaker-s-claim-of-400-16095858.php
Chair @NicoleCollier95 asks if the restrictions and penalties in SB 7 would discourage people from wanting to become poll workers -- people who are hard to find as is. Rep. @jessicafortexas says she's confident it will. #txlege
Rep. @VoteAnnJohnson, a former prosecutor, notes that the ballot harvesting provision is too broad and undefined to where it could lead to unintended consequences. #txlege
"I thank you very much and I know my wife thanks you very much because you're setting her up for a felony in 2022." - Rep. @VoteAnnJohnson re: the broad language of SB 7 that would lead to innocent people being prosecuted. #txlege
Chair @ChrisGTurner speaks in favor of striking the enacting clause -
this bill is an assault on voting rights and if the John Lewis VRA passes, this would fail a pre-clearance review. In just the last decade, the #txlege has been found to have discriminator intent.
this bill is an assault on voting rights and if the John Lewis VRA passes, this would fail a pre-clearance review. In just the last decade, the #txlege has been found to have discriminator intent.
The Big Lie has been used to spread lies about "voter fraud", starting with Gov Abbott using federal funds as AG to target Latinos. no widespread fraud has ever been found, but they have seeded fear amongst minority communities. #txlege
in 2019, @GovAbbott and @KenPaxtonTX almost purged 25k naturalized voters. @KenPaxtonTX used state funds to sue OTHER STATES to overturn their election results. He was also at the rally that led to an insurrection on our nation's capitol. #txlege
"it's been an exercise in arrogance, exclusion, and confusion." says Chair @ChrisGTurner - our state is now majority-minority who live in the major cities, which are now targets of the state legislature. #txlege
Chair @ChrisGTurner references the video of Republican operatives discussing the need to recruit poll watchers from whiter, more affluent areas of Harris County to poll watch in predominantly Black and Latino areas. #txlege https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/04/08/texas-voting-gop-poll-watchers/
"If the author does not know the effect and the reach of his bill, then we should not be debating it." - Rep. @jessicafortexas closes on her amendment.
The amendment fails 65-80. #txlege
The amendment fails 65-80. #txlege
Rep. @TurnerForTX brings up a point of order on the grounds that the bill analysis does not properly reflect.
And the waiting game begins!! #txlege
And the waiting game begins!! #txlege
While we wait -- House rep offices are still open and taking calls, so call your member if you haven't, especially if they're republicans!! http://txdems.co/democracy #txlege
FLASH POLL: what do you think will happen with this point of order? (sustained = bill goes down, overruled = debate continues) #txlege
see here for a refresher on what a "point of order" is https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1385280963001782272?s=20
https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1385280963001782272?s=20
uhhhh house will stand at ease? wonder what that could mean for the point of order........ #txlege
for reference, points of order with real discussion usually take about 15-30 minutes to be resolved.
We've been at it for about an hour now, with the parliamentarians (the two people who decide) saying they need more time to review it. #txlege
We've been at it for about an hour now, with the parliamentarians (the two people who decide) saying they need more time to review it. #txlege
so i know i've been quiet.....but it's because we're now TWO HOURS into this point of order. some members seem to be trickling in but at this point, who knows what that means (if anything!!) #txlege
the point of order has been withdrawn and SB 7 will be postponed until 11:30PM (one hour) while Cain works on perfecting amendments. #txlege
a lil behind the scenes sneak-peek at that *2-hour long point of order* #txlege: https://twitter.com/RepWalle/status/1390494523256680449?s=20
As the clock strikes 11:30pm in (most of) our beautiful state, the House floor is on a point of order.....for a totally different bill.
We'll see if they get back to SB 7 after they finish on this bill. #txlege
We'll see if they get back to SB 7 after they finish on this bill. #txlege
what makes this even more grueling is it's the same bill that they moved onto after they postponed SB 7 an hour ago
they literally have not gotten through a single bill #txlege
they literally have not gotten through a single bill #txlege
some helpful context on that last bill! ty!!!!! https://twitter.com/thtbourgeoisgrl/status/1390529203536375814?s=20
Seems like they're gonna knock out some of the other bills on the calendar -- i'll check back in when they're back on SB 7! #txlege
an unexpected #txlege silver lining: https://twitter.com/RoseClouston/status/1390533289669242884?s=20
another unexpected silver lining:
an amendment by Rep. @VotePennyShaw to HB 3107 was adopted that would allow vote by mail applications to be hand-delivered to a county clerk's office up to the day of the deadline #txlege
an amendment by Rep. @VotePennyShaw to HB 3107 was adopted that would allow vote by mail applications to be hand-delivered to a county clerk's office up to the day of the deadline #txlege
^^ bet you're surprised that's not currently the statute -- right now, applications are only allowed to be hand-delivered until the last business day before early voting starts (for no real reason at all) #txlege
another aside: sometimes i just wanna make a huge supercut of every time the members say amendment #txlege
related: the word "amendment" has reached semantic satiation levels for me (yes i just learned this phrase) #txlege
friendly reminder that when we get back to SB 7 we still have like, 140 amendments to get through lol #txlege
about that 11:30PM postponement time #txlege: https://twitter.com/chucklindell/status/1390511102304346116?s=20
shout-out to my boss @RoseClouston for suggesting over a week ago that i take tomorrow off
here's a video of us together https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1389348800758702085?s=20
here's a video of us together https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1389348800758702085?s=20
FLASH POLL: should we all have just taken a nap for a bit?
Speaker Phelan signals that we're about to jump back into SB 7 - put on another pot of coffee y'all #txlege
aaaand we're at ease until "2:35" (yeah ok) #txlege
they're back!! it's time for SB 7!! real voter suppression hours, who up #txlege
Cain provides a couple of amendments that he says he worked on with the NAACP and a coalition of voters with disabilities. All are adopted. #txlege
Rep. @BucyForTexas talks about Crystal Mason who was sentenced to 5 years in prison for casting a provisional ballot (that was never counted) because no one told her that being on supervised release made it illegal for her to vote. #txlege
Rep. @BucyForTexas's amendment states that a judge must instruct a defendant on how the conviction will affect their right to vote and that voters only commit an offense if they knew that those circumstances made them ineligible.
Amendment is adopted w/o objection. #txlege
Amendment is adopted w/o objection. #txlege
Another amendment by Rep. @BucyForTexas, this time one that would foster transparency by requiring counties and other districts to post when and where they're having an election. Amendment is adopted. #txlege
Two more by Rep. @BucyForTexas, including one that would create a database of elections so that voters can know who the incumbent is for a given district and who the candidates are that are running against them.
Amendment is adopted. #txlege
Amendment is adopted. #txlege
