Austin American-Statesman: Texas Senate begins work on election audit, voting felony bills

10.5.2021 / By Chuck Lindell
Austin American-Statesman: Texas Senate begins work on election audit, voting felony bills

"This decision to inject partisan politics into our elections process will only sow doubts in our democracy, distract and divide us, and stick taxpayers with these giant bills," said Stephanie Gómez, associate director of Common Cause Texas. "Texans deserve better than to have our ballots serve as fuel for an election conspiracy," she said.

The Texas Senate began work Monday on two Republican voting bills that have uncertain futures — one raising criminal penalties for illegal voting and another that got a recent boost from former President Donald Trump because it would allow for audits of 2020 general election results.

Senate Bill 47 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would let state and county leaders of the two major political parties pursue audits of 2020 election results in individual counties. SB 47 also would let candidates and party officials demand audits to confirm the results of future elections. …

Representatives of progressive groups urged senators to oppose SB 47, saying it would undermine faith in elections by allowing partisans to force unnecessary and divisive audits.

“This decision to inject partisan politics into our elections process will only sow doubts in our democracy, distract and divide us, and stick taxpayers with these giant bills,” said Stephanie Gómez, associate director of Common Cause Texas.

“Texans deserve better than to have our ballots serve as fuel for an election conspiracy,” she said.

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