On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott is supposed to sign the state’s election integrity bill after fighting with Democrats who opposed the new legislation.
Abbott is set to travel to Tyler, Texas where he will sign S.B. 1. The bill will give new rules for mail-in voting, tighten voting procedures, and increase the number of partisan poll watchers.
The bill passed through the state legislature last week after a long battle with Democrats, during which House Democrats left Texas to block Republican lawmakers’ efforts to get the bill passed.
The Texas House passed the bill 80-41 and the Senate voted 19-13.
Shortly after it was passed, Abbott said, “Senate Bill 1 will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections by making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. I look forward to signing Senate Bill 1 into law, ensuring election integrity in Texas”.
Supporters of the bill say it will help stop voter fraud and boost voter confidence in the integrity of elections. Democrats argue that voter fraud is not a problem in the state and the restrictions will make it disproportionately harder for people of color to vote.