Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs law creating new voting restrictions as opponents sue in federal court
Source: Washington Post
AUSTIN -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Tuesday signed a bill into law that creates strict new voting rules in the state, ending a months-long effort by Democrats to stall the legislation by denying Republicans a quorum in the House. But the law already faces two challenges in federal court, with nearly two dozen organizations and individuals suing Texas GOP leaders and local elections officials.
The White House also pledged to continue battling new voting restrictions, which Republican leaders have passed in numerous states, often while citing former president Donald Trump's false claims of mass voting fraud. "So we would say to these advocates, 'We stand with you.' There's more we're going to keep working on together," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday, referring to those seeking to block the Texas law. "The vice president's going to be leading this effort. And we agree that voting should be a fundamental right to people."
Texas lawmakers last week approved the bill, which imposes new criminal penalties for violating voting laws, bans 24-hour and drive-through voting and allows more access for partisan poll watchers. Abbott at the time argued that the legislation "will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections by making it easier to vote and harder to cheat."
But opponents swiftly took to federal court, filing two separate complaints on Friday seeking injunctions to stop Senate Bill 1 (SB1) from going into effect. More lawsuits are likely forthcoming. One complaint, filed in San Antonio, lists 14 plaintiffs, including Texas Impact, a faith-based advocacy group. Executive Director Bee Moorhead said in a news release that the group was suing after having "prayed, protested, preached, and pushed, but at the end of the day, lawmakers have chosen a path that will lead to disenfranchisement."
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/07/abbott-texas-voting-restrictions-signs-bill/
And Marc Elias with his organization (among others) are ready to roll with the lawsuits!
CASE FILED
Copy of complaint (PDF) - https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2021/09/LULAC-Texas-v.-Esparza-FILED-COMPLAINT.pdf
Link to tweet
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@marceelias
🚨BREAKING: @LULAC Texas, @votolatino, TX @ActiveRetirees, and TX @AFTunion sue various Texas officials to block that state's new voter suppression law. Proud that @EliasLawGroup is taking on this fight for the voters of Texas.
🚨 New Lawsuit Filed in Texas
Read the complaint.
democracydocket.com
12:38 PM · Sep 7, 2021
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Link to tweet
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@marceelias
Standby for news regarding new litigation in Texas....
Democracy Docket
@DemocracyDocket
🚨BREAKING: Texas Gov. Abbott (R) SIGNS voter suppression bill #SB1 into law. #txlege
12:22 PM · Sep 7, 2021
Link to tweet
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@DemocracyDocket
🚨ALERT: Texas Governor Abbott (R) SIGNS major voter suppression bill #SB1 into law, enacting new voting restrictions for millions of Texans. #txlege
Texas Governor Signs Voter Suppression Bill
Read more here.
democracydocket.com
12:22 PM · Sep 7, 2021
= new reply since forum marked as read
Then lock them up!
