Hey Kids .. check out just how much this exercise in voter suppression will cost!!!

SB7 - see complete bill
What makes this bill evil?

Gaslighting
Intimidation
Voter suppression
Unnecessarily intrusive
And now ... EXPENSIVE: over $32 million in 2022



BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center
	
S.B. 7
87R10764 ADM-F
	
By: Hughes et al.
State Affairs
3/19/2021

As Filed


AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT


As efforts to identify and prosecute election crimes have intensified, we have gained a better understanding of the ways certain bad actors take advantage of holes in the electoral process to alter the balance of elections, especially at the local level.
Gaslighting: There has not been evidence of election crimes. 

 

At the same time, advances in technology have increased the threat of electronic interference with elections, but also the tools available to prevent that interference.

 
S.B. 7 seeks to Gaslighting: address these issues by strengthening poll watcher protection, bringing about transparency by utilizing technology throughout the electoral process, requiring a voter verifiable paper trail, limiting the most common fraudulent practices and opportunities for fraudulent practices, and providing better and more timely evidence in investigations into alleged voter fraud.

 

S.B. 7 amends current law relating to election integrity, Intimidation: creates a criminal offense, and creates civil penalties.

 

As proposed, S.B. 7 amends current law relating to elections, including aka voter suppression: election integrity and security, creates a criminal offense, and provides civil penalties.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the secretary of state in SECTION 2.06 (Section 86.015, Election Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

ARTICLE 1. VOTER REGISTRATION

 

SECTION 1.01. Amends Chapter 42, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 42.0194, as follows:

 



Art. 42.0194. FINDING REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION. Intimidation: Requires the court, in the trial of a felony offense, if the defendant is 18 years of age or older and is adjudged guilty of the offense, to make an affirmative finding that the person has been found guilty of a felony and enter the affirmative finding in the judgment of the case, and to instruct the defendant regarding how the felony conviction will impact the defendant's right to vote in this state.

 

SECTION 1.02. Amends Section 13.002, Election Code, by adding Subsection (c-1), to require that a voter registration application require the applicant to affirmatively indicate all information provided on the application.

 

SECTION 1.03. Amends Section 15.028, Election Code, as follows:

 

Intimidation: Sec. 15.028. New heading: NOTICE OF UNLAWFUL VOTING OR REGISTRATION. Requires the voter registrar (registrar), if the registrar determines that a person who is not eligible to vote may have registered to vote or voted in an election, rather than a person who is not a registered voter voted in an election, to execute and deliver to the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the county or district attorney having jurisdiction in the territory covered by the election an affidavit stating the relevant facts. Makes a nonsubstantive change. Deletes existing text requiring the registrar, if the election covers territory in more than one county, to also deliver an affidavit to the attorney general.

 

SECTION 1.04. Amends Section 16.0332(a), Election Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires the registrar, after the registrar receives a list under Section 18.068 (Comparison of Information Regarding Ineligibility) of this code or Section 62.113 (Compilation of List of Noncitizens), Government Code, of persons excused or disqualified from jury service or otherwise determined to be ineligible to vote, rather than persons excused or disqualified from jury service, because of citizenship status, to deliver to each registered voter whose name appears on the list a written notice requiring the voter to submit to the registrar certain proof of United States citizenship.

 

SECTION 1.05. Amends Section 18.065, Election Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g), as follows:

 

(a) Intimidation:Requires the secretary of state to monitor each registrar for substantial compliance with certain sections, including Section 16.0332 (Cancellation Because of Citizenship Status), and with rules implementing the statewide computerized voter registration list.

 

(e) Intimidation:Requires the secretary of state, if a registrar fails to correct a violation within 30 days of a notice under Subsection (b) (relating to the requirement that the secretary of state deliver a notice of noncompliance to the registrar), to correct the violation on behalf of the registrar.

 

(f) Intimidation:Provides that a registrar is liable to this state for a civil penalty of $100 for each violation corrected by the secretary of state under Subsection (e). Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to recover a civil penalty imposed under Section 18.065 (Secretary of State to Monitor Registrar's Compliance).

 

(g) Requires that a civil penalty collected by the attorney general under this section be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund.

 

SECTION 1.06. Makes application of this article, as amended by this Act, prospective.

 

ARTICLE 2. VOTING BY MAIL

 

SECTION 2.01. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, by adding Section 84.0011, as follows:

 

Sec. 84.0011. SOLICITATION OF BALLOT BY MAIL APPLICATIONS PROHIBITED. Prohibits the early voting clerk from making any attempt to solicit a person to complete an application for an early voting ballot by mail, whether directly or through a third party.

 

SECTION 2.02. Amends Section 84.002, Election Code, by adding Subsection (c), as follows:

 

(c) Intimidation:Requires that an application for a ballot to be voted by mail on the ground of disability require the applicant to affirmatively indicate that the applicant agrees with the statement "I am physically unable to enter a polling place without needing personal assistance or injuring my health," as prescribed by Section 82.002(a) (relating to the provision that a qualified voter is eligible for early voting by mail if the voter has certain health conditions).

 

SECTION 2.03. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, by adding Section 84.0111, as follows:

 

Sec. 84.0111. unecessarily intrusive: PROHIBITION ON DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATION FORM. (a) Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state, unless authorized by this code, from distributing an application form for an early voting ballot to a person who did not request an application under Section 84.001 (Application Required).

 

(b) unecessarily intrusive: Prohibits an officer or employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state from using public funds to facilitate the distribution by another person of an application form for an early voting ballot to a person who did not request an application under Section 84.001.

 
SB7 - see complete bill