Voting Rights

Texas’ new near-total abortion ban, one of the most restrictive in the nation, punctuated a week that brought into stunning relief just how far the state’s political pendulum has swung to the right since the 2020 election.

The bill passed 79-37 on second reading late Thursday night then passed 80-41 on a third reading Friday afternoon. The measure includes bans on 24-hour voting and drive-through voting.

While lawmakers in Austin continue to spar over an omnibus voting bill that would tighten voter restrictions, other voting laws are set to take effect Sept. 1.

With quorum restored, the GOP marches toward restricting counties' ability to provide 24 hour voting and curbside voting, among other changes.

Debate on the contentious Senate Bill 1 resumes after enough Democratic lawmakers returned to the state last week.

While Republicans' legislation includes a provision to give some people more notice of when they aren't legally allowed to vote, the bill also would add new criminal penalties.

A federal court ruled Texas was violating the National Voter Registration Act by not allowing people to register when they updated their drivers' license information online while allowing it in person.

LBJ School professor Sherri Greenberg says this time around, Democrats might have a bit more leverage than they did in 2003.

A majority of Democrats in the Texas House left for Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon in a bid to again deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass new voting restrictions with 26 days left in a special legislative session called largely for that purpose.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is prosecuting Hervis Rogers, who allegedly voted before his parole ended. Paxton has made prosecuting alleged cases of voter fraud a core mission of his office.