On Thursday, the House Elections Committee will hear HB 5337, the companion to SB 16. This is the effort to require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. The list of acceptable documents includes a birth certificate and a passport (which many Texans do not have) but there is no allowance for those whose names do not match their birth certificate or those who do not have access to their birth records. Election officials can accept registrations without the necessary proof and verify citizenship through various databases, principally social security and driver’s licenses, but any voter whose citizenship cannot be verified would either have to appear with documentary proof or vote a federal-only ballot. The requirement would also apply to current voters, who could be required to appear with proof if state and local election officials are unable to verify citizenship. The bill puts a burden on both voters and election officials.
The League is opposed to this legislation and encourages its members and supporters to contact their representatives through the action alert included in this email. Here are some helpful links from our partner organizations:
The Governor’s voucher bill, SB 2, passed the House last week. The bill had been passed out of committee in the House without public testimony. The debate on the House floor was lengthy, but in the end, the Governor was able to keep his party members in line, and the bill passed. The Lt. Governor has announced that the Senate will accept the House version, so no conference committee will be needed.
The League also submitted written testimony last week in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee opposing HB 1128, which would allow licensed election judges to carry a concealed handgun in a polling place while performing their duties, and HB 1794, which would allow concealed handguns in polling locations. Those bills remain pending in committee, so there is still time to respond to the action alerts and let the committee know that we believe polling places should be a safe place to cast a ballot.
Click on these priority issues to read the current legislative updates:
Don't Make 18 Million Texas Voters Show Their Papers!
Say NO to HB 5337! *NEW!*
HB 5337, like its companion bill SB 16, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, would disenfranchise citizens who do not or cannot present a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers to election officials before voting. Over 18 million current voters would not be exempt from this requirement. Contact members of the House Committee on Elections and urge them to say NO to HB 5337!
No Guns in Polling Places! Oppose HB 1794!
HB 4253 requires election officials, after every general election, to send a confirmation letter to every voter who has not voted in the previous 25 months. If the voter does not respond within 30 days, the voter will be removed from the polls, leading to "use it or lose it". Contact members of the House Committee on Elections and urge them to say NO to HB 4253!
Oppose Arming Election Judges! Say NO to HB 1128!
HB 2739 would require that the address on certain voter id presented at the polls must match not just the name, but also the address of the voter's information on voting rolls. Only two of the IDs accepted at the polls contain an address. The bill would harm voters who depend on expired licenses or have moved and been unable to update their information with DPS. Contact members of the House Committee on Elections and urge them to say NO to HB 2739!
Respond to Your House Member's Vote on the SAVE Act
The House voted to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act by a margin of 220-208. This bill would create an unnecessary barrier to voting by requiring eligible Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship in person to register to vote. Write to your House member about their vote on the bill.
Turn Up the Heat Congressional Recess Guide
Congress is taking a recess April 14th - 25th. Use our Turn Up the Heat Congressional Recess Guide for tips, tricks, and resources to encourage your members of Congress to engage with their constituents. For even more information, read "Your M
embers of Congress Must Attend Town Halls: Turn Up the Heat" on the LWVUS blog here.