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For months, Texans have mobilized against the partisan state legislature's attempts to restrict access to the ballot box and undermine our democracy. We urge our Congressional delegation to swiftly pass the Freedom to Vote Act.

SB 1 was passed with the intent to suppress these votes. The legislation includes provisions that expand the power of partisan poll watchers, limit county election officials’ discretion to adopt safe and secure methods of voting, especially during a pandemic, make it more difficult for voters to receive assistance, and place restrictions on absentee ballots, ballot drop boxes, and early voting.

While Governor Abbott signs legislation designed to make it harder for Texans to vote, tens of thousands of our friends and family are in the hospital fighting for their lives because of his misplaced priorities. 

This is partisan grandstanding at the expense of taxpayers. Common Cause Texas strongly urges the House to vote no on this dangerous legislation and instead focus on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus that has killed more than 55,000 of our fellow Texans and has more than 13,000 in the hospital fighting for their lives. 

Just before midnight, the Texas State House passed SB 1, a bill that will make it harder for Texans to vote, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and Texans of color. The legislation was passed by a 79-37 vote with Republican legislators rushing in more than 30 amendments in a matter of hours.

Each day Governor Abbott and Republican state legislators continue their war on our right to vote, more of our fellow Texans’ lives are at risk because of our leaders' misplaced priorities. More than 75 hospitals have run out of ICU beds and more than 20,000 Texans are suffering from COVID-19.