Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune
A Texas House panel is taking up legislation Wednesday that would make it a felony for Texans who vote when they’re ineligible — even if they did so unknowingly.
Senate Bill 9, a controversial and wide-ranging election measure, would increase the penalty for such an offense from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, with punishment that could include up to a two-year jail term and a fine of up to $10,000. The state Senate passed the measure April 15.
The legislation would also allow an election officer or poll watcher to be present at a voting station when a voter is getting help from someone who isn’t a relative. The officer or poll watcher would be allowed to examine the voter’s ballot before it is submitted “to determine whether it is prepared in accordance with the voter’s wishes.”
The House Elections Committee’s Wednesday hearing is likely to include public testimony and debate over possible revisions to the bill.
Proponents say the legislation would strengthen the integrity of Texas’ elections. But critics say the legislation would only make voting more difficult and scary for voters.
You can watch a livestream of the hearing — which is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Wednesday — below.
Source: Texas Tribune Blue Left News
