Texas Democrats return, end 38-day holdout over voting bill
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas Democrats return, end 38-day holdout over voting bill

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A standoff in Texas over new voting restrictions that gridlocked the state Capitol for 38 consecutive days ended Thursday when some Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., dropped their holdout, paving the way for Republicans to resume pushing an elections overhaul. Only three new Democrats showed up Thursday, and the vast majority of the more than 50 Democrats who bolted for the nation’s capital in July continue to stay away from the Texas Capitol. “It’s time to get back to the business of the people of Texas.” Not all Democrats joined in the holdout, and the newest to come back to the Texas House defended their decision, saying they had successfully pushed Congress on voting rights legislation while pointing to the growing urgency of surging COVID-19 caseloads in Texas. And federal voting rights protections that Texas Democrats lobbied for while in Washington still face long odds of getting around GOP opposition in Congress.

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History of this topic

Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?
2 months ago

Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?

Raw Story  

"Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Ali Zaidi, a Democratic political operative who ran Mike Collier’s campaign for lieutenant governor in 2022 said many in the party are rooted in a “pre-2012” belief that an increasingly diverse Texas would lead automatically to Democratic gains. But “we need to find out where voters are and meet them where they are.” Chad Wilbanks, …

'Time for big change': Leading Republicans turn on GOP's Texas House speaker
4 months ago

'Time for big change': Leading Republicans turn on GOP's Texas House speaker

Raw Story  

"“It’s time for big change”: Texas Republicans seeking to oust Speaker Dade Phelan present united front" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Challengers to Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan presented a united front on Friday, arguing the …

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Texas primary runoffs
7 months, 2 weeks ago

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Texas primary runoffs

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. WASHINGTON — Two prominent Texas Republicans are looking to settle political scores within their own party in the primary runoff elections on Tuesday, when voters will decide nearly three dozen unresolved races from the state’s March 5 primary. Abbott and Paxton back opposing candidates in five state House runoffs as …

A Texas GOP brawl is dragging to a runoff. How the power struggle may push Republicans further right
10 months ago

A Texas GOP brawl is dragging to a runoff. How the power struggle may push Republicans further right

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A Republican power struggle in Texas that could push the state even further right come November isn’t cooling down. Still, the state party censured Phelan over the impeachment and a “lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities.” Even if Phelan wins the runoff, his hopes for third term as speaker would appear heavily damaged. A CHANCE …

Texas judge says no quick ruling expected over GOP efforts to toss 2022 election losses near Houston
1 year, 4 months ago

Texas judge says no quick ruling expected over GOP efforts to toss 2022 election losses near Houston

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — A Texas judge presiding over Republicans’ widespread challenges to losses in the 2022 elections around Houston said Thursday not to expect a quick ruling following a trial in which no GOP voters came forward to testify that they were unable to vote because of ballot shortages or delayed poll openings last November. At the heart of the challenge …

Republican victories show Texas is still far from turning blue
2 years, 2 months ago

Republican victories show Texas is still far from turning blue

Raw Story  

Texas Republicans maintained their nearly three-decade grip on state government on Tuesday, comfortably fending off a vigorous run to unseat Gov. They just didn’t vote, period.” But the South Texas results robbed Republicans of the hoped-for narrative that Hispanic voters were abandoning Democrats in droves. Even if Republicans aren’t seeing their map expanding into new territory like South Texas, they …

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump
2 years, 9 months ago

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Just 46 residents of Starr County, Texas, cast ballots in the state’s Republican primary two years ago. By contrast, she said, Trump has helped Republicans win over Hispanics on issues including job creation, education and traditional religious beliefs: “We connected with them intellectually, economically and spiritually.” Abel Prado, executive director of the Democratic advocacy group Cambio Texas in …

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump
2 years, 9 months ago

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. By contrast, she said, Trump has helped Republicans win over Hispanics on issues including …

US midterms: Activists brace for renewed fight over voting rights
2 years, 11 months ago

US midterms: Activists brace for renewed fight over voting rights

Al Jazeera  

As critical elections loom, Congress has been unable to pass major bills that supporters say would increase federal protections for voting. With United States midterm elections scheduled for November, the struggle in Congress to pass federal voting rights legislation has left Democrats and election rights activists worried that time is running out for reforms. “As long as I’m in the …

Texas governor approves state voting maps redrawn by GOP
3 years, 2 months ago

Texas governor approves state voting maps redrawn by GOP

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Texas Gov. The new maps end a highly charged year over voting rights in Texas, where Democrats this summer left the state to begin a 38-day holdout in protest of a sweeping elections overhaul. “The only time that communities of color can get justice is going to the courthouse,” Democratic state Rep. Rafael Anchia said before …

Here's an election slogan you won’t hear in Texas in 2022
3 years, 2 months ago

Here's an election slogan you won’t hear in Texas in 2022

Raw Story  

Democrats won't be rallying voters with claims they can flip control of the Texas Legislature in the general election a year from now. Because those maps almost guarantee Republican majorities in the state's congressional delegation, in the Texas House and Senate, and in the State Board of Education, the 2022 elections will really be about the executive branch. Whatever else …

Texas governor signs new GOP voting restrictions into law
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas governor signs new GOP voting restrictions into law

Associated Press  

TYLER, Texas — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an elections overhaul into law Tuesday that adds more voting restrictions in the booming state, after Democrats spent months protesting what they say are efforts to weaken minority turnout and preserve the GOP’s eroding dominance. The bill signing again underlined the hard right turn Texas Republicans made this year, including a …

After A Standoff With Democrats, Texas Republicans Pass New Voting Restrictions
3 years, 4 months ago

After A Standoff With Democrats, Texas Republicans Pass New Voting Restrictions

NPR  

After A Standoff With Democrats, Texas Republicans Pass New Voting Restrictions Enlarge this image toggle caption Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images Texas Republicans on Tuesday passed a series of new restrictions on the state's voting process, concluding a months-long legislative effort by sending the measure to Republican Gov. Sponsor Message National Texas Republicans Pass New Voting Restrictions Texas Republicans …

Texas Legislature sends sweeping GOP voting bill to governor
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas Legislature sends sweeping GOP voting bill to governor

LA Times  

The Texas Legislature sent a sweeping rewrite of the state’s election laws to Republican Gov. The rest of the far-reaching legislation, spurred in part by former President Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, had set off a heated summer in Texas of walkouts by Democrats, Republican threats of arrests, Abbott’s veto of the paychecks of thousands of rank-and-file staffers …

Texas GOP advances voting bill after Democrats’ holdout ends
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas GOP advances voting bill after Democrats’ holdout ends

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans advanced new voting restrictions Thursday night after months of protests by Democrats, who after returning from a 38-day walkout are now all but out of ways to stop a bill that includes a ban on drive-thru voting and would empower poll watchers. On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed federal voting rights legislation that congressional Democrats …

Texas Democrats Return, Ending A 38-Day Holdout That Blocked A Voting Bill
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas Democrats Return, Ending A 38-Day Holdout That Blocked A Voting Bill

NPR  

Texas Democrats Return, Ending A 38-Day Holdout That Blocked A Voting Bill Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP AUSTIN, Texas — A standoff in Texas over new voting restrictions that gridlocked the state Capitol for 38 consecutive days ended Thursday when some Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., dropped their holdout, paving the way for Republicans to …

Texas senator’s 15-hour filibuster spotlights voting clash
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas senator’s 15-hour filibuster spotlights voting clash

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas Democratic senator who spoke for more than 15 hours against GOP voting restrictions knew she was just delaying the inevitable. Still, Carol Alvarado saw the filibuster as one more tactic she could use to spotlight her party’s marathon clash with Republicans over voting rights. Alvarado, chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, took questions from …

Texas law enforcement enlisted to end Democrats’ holdout
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas law enforcement enlisted to end Democrats’ holdout

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans enlisted the help of law enforcement for the first time Thursday to force the return of Democratic legislators who fled the state a month ago to block new voting restrictions. The Texas Department of Public Safety, the state’s law enforcement division, said in a statement that it did not “discuss operational specifics” and referred further …

Texas Republicans OK arrest of Democrats who blocked voting bill
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas Republicans OK arrest of Democrats who blocked voting bill

Al Jazeera  

Dozens of Democratic legislators fled the US state last month to stop the passage of a bill they said would restrict voting rights. A top Texas Republican legislator has signed civil arrest warrants for 52 Democratic legislators who fled the state last month to prevent the passage of a bill they say would restrict voting rights. #txlegehttps://t.co/FpqqczlbET — Texas Democrats …

More Texas Democrats return, but not enough to end holdout
3 years, 5 months ago

More Texas Democrats return, but not enough to end holdout

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A monthlong standoff by Texas Democrats who left the state to block a GOP voting bill inched closer to ending Monday as several holdouts returned and put Republicans on the brink of having enough lawmakers to push forward once again with an election overhaul. The Texas House of Representatives is now just five members shy of a …

Texas House Speaker Signs Arrest Warrants For Democrats Still Refusing To Return
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas House Speaker Signs Arrest Warrants For Democrats Still Refusing To Return

NPR  

Texas House Speaker Signs Arrest Warrants For Democrats Still Refusing To Return Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP Remember when protesting Texas House Democrats abandoned the state Capitol, then fled the state to Washington, D.C., to block proposed voting restrictions during a special session? Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan signed off on dozens of civil arrest warrants …

Texas Democrats continue holdout, don’t show for new session
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats continue holdout, don’t show for new session

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Democrats still refused to return to the state Capitol on Saturday as Gov. Greg Abbott began a third attempt at passing new election laws, prolonging a monthslong standoff that ramped up in July when dozens of Democratic state lawmakers left the state and hunkered down in Washington, D.C. “A quorum is not present,” said Republican House …

As Texas Democrats mull return, GOP voting bill still awaits
3 years, 5 months ago

As Texas Democrats mull return, GOP voting bill still awaits

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Twenty-six days into refusing to come home, Texas Democrats who have twice now blocked a GOP voting bill face a choice: whether to go for Round 3. Setting up camp in a Washington hotel, Texas Democrats spent nearly a month meeting with congressional leaders, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and torpedoed new voting laws back home …

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress
3 years, 5 months ago

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — In Republicans’ bid to retake control of Congress, this traditionally Democratic stretch of South Texas has quietly become a top battleground. “I don’t think there’s any question that we need to be concerned about it and we need to put more resources into it,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party. He described last …

Texas Democrats Meet With U.S. Senators As Window Narrows To Protect Voting Rights
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats Meet With U.S. Senators As Window Narrows To Protect Voting Rights

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Texas Democrats who made the decision this week to flee the state for Washington, D.C., in a desperate effort to hold off a voter suppression bill met on Wednesday with several U.S. senators to continue the fight for federal voting rights legislation. The state lawmakers met Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck …

Time on their side, Texas GOP waits for Democrats to return
3 years, 5 months ago

Time on their side, Texas GOP waits for Democrats to return

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — On Day 3 of Texas Democrats hunkering down in Washington to block tighter voting laws, Republicans back home settled into a new routine that boils down to turning the Democrats’ gambit into yet another advantage for the GOP in 2022. “While these Texas Democrats collect taxpayer money as they ride on private jets to meet with the …

Texas Democrats dig in after exodus; GOP threatens arrest
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats dig in after exodus; GOP threatens arrest

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Democrats who hurriedly took off to Washington to block sweeping new election laws urged Congress on Tuesday to quickly pass legislation protecting voting rights, while Republican Gov. In Austin, House Republicans authorized state troopers to find and corral missing legislators, while a depleted but still-working state Senate passed new voting restrictions in a show of GOP …

Texas Democrats leave state to try to stop GOP voting bill
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats leave state to try to stop GOP voting bill

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Democrats in the Texas Legislature bolted Monday for Washington, and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws, forcing a dramatic new showdown over voting rights in America. Greg Abbott told an Austin television station he would simply keep calling special sessions through next year …

State politicians flee Texas to derail legislation on voting restrictions, abortion access
3 years, 5 months ago

State politicians flee Texas to derail legislation on voting restrictions, abortion access

ABC  

Dozens of Democratic politicians have left Texas as part of an orchestrated move to derail Republican efforts to pass new voting restrictions and other measures. Key points: Most of the 67-member Democratic caucus has fled the state The move is meant to prevent the quorum Republicans need to pass the legislation Many Republican-led states are pushing new voting restrictions in …

Biden slams Republican state voting bills as ‘un-American’
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden slams Republican state voting bills as ‘un-American’

Al Jazeera  

Texas legislators go to Washington and call on US President Joe Biden and Congress to counter state voting restrictions. It suppresses and subjugates.” Invoking the US civil rights movement of the 1960s and the historic battle for Black liberation that began after slavery, Biden delivered a fiery speech in Philadelphia condemning the drive by Republicans in several US states including …

Texas Democrats Leave The State In An Effort To Block GOP Voting Restrictions
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats Leave The State In An Effort To Block GOP Voting Restrictions

NPR  

Texas Democrats Leave The State In An Effort To Block GOP Voting Restrictions Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP Texas House Democrats left the state on Monday in a second high-profile effort to block controversial GOP legislation that critics have slammed as voter suppression. "Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and …

Texas Democrats aim to block voting bill, flee to Washington
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats aim to block voting bill, flee to Washington

Al Jazeera  

As the party tries to stall a restrictive Republican voting bill, President Biden is set to address voting rights Tuesday. Democratic legislators in Texas are fleeing the state in a bid to block Republicans from passing an elections bill that would impose new restrictions on voting. Amid the political wrangling in Texas, US President Joe Biden plans to deliver a …

Texas Democrats fled the state. Here’s why
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats fled the state. Here’s why

LA Times  

Texas state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez speaks during a news conference on May 31 in Austin after House Democrats blocked one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S. from passing before a midnight deadline. Texas statehouse Democrats fled Monday to Washington D.C. to try and block the GOP’s sweeping elections overhaul bill that makes it harder to vote in …

Texas GOP renews push for new voting laws, unfinished agenda
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas GOP renews push for new voting laws, unfinished agenda

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans on Thursday brought back efforts to ban 24-hour polling places and drive-thru voting as Gov. Similar to the GOP’s the sweeping bill blocked in May, the revived version would also empower partisan poll watchers and ban drop boxes for mail-in ballots, making it what would be one of the most comprehensive reworking of a state’s …

Democrats sue Texas governor over vetoing pay after walkout
3 years, 6 months ago

Democrats sue Texas governor over vetoing pay after walkout

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Democratic lawmakers who blocked one of America’s most restrictive voting measures with a dramatic walkout sued Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday, after he vetoed funds that cover thousands of Capitol paychecks that he said shouldn’t be given “to those who quit their job early.” The lawsuit reflects the tensions that remain in Texas more than …

Special session in Texas raises expectations of voting fight
3 years, 6 months ago

Special session in Texas raises expectations of voting fight

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered lawmakers back to work in July, raising expectations of another attempt to pass new voting restrictions after Democrats blocked the GOP’s first try with a dramatic late-night walkout in May. But Abbott has previously made clear that he would bring lawmakers back to pass new election laws after Democrats …

Texas Democrats Are Pressing Their Congressional Counterparts To Expand Voting Rights
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas Democrats Are Pressing Their Congressional Counterparts To Expand Voting Rights

NPR  

Texas Democrats Are Pressing Their Congressional Counterparts To Expand Voting Rights Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images A group of Democratic Texas state lawmakers traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with congressional Democrats and Vice President Harris as part of a broader effort to pressure those in their party …

Some Texas Lawmakers Disown Part Of Their Plan To Change Voting Rules
3 years, 7 months ago

Some Texas Lawmakers Disown Part Of Their Plan To Change Voting Rules

NPR  

Some Texas Lawmakers Disown Part Of Their Plan To Change Voting Rules A walkout by Texas Democrats over the weekend prevented a final vote on a bill that would have cut back polling hours and reduce access to mail-in voting. Texas Democrats barely blocked their state's bill, and then yesterday on this program, a key Texas Republican made news. The …

Dems walk, stop Texas GOP’s sweeping voting restrictions
3 years, 7 months ago

Dems walk, stop Texas GOP’s sweeping voting restrictions

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving Republicans with no choice but to abandon a midnight deadline and declare the legislative session essentially over. The revolt is one of Democrats’ biggest protests …

‘Leave the building': Texas walkout escalates voting battles
3 years, 7 months ago

‘Leave the building': Texas walkout escalates voting battles

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Midnight was coming fast. Left without enough House members to conduct business under the rules before a midnight deadline Sunday, Texas Republicans were forced to abandon for now an elections overhaul they had crammed with previously unseen restrictions during closed-door negotiations, including one prohibiting Sunday morning early voting — a time widely used by Black churchgoers in …

Texas: Democrat walkout blocks passage of voting restriction law
3 years, 7 months ago

Texas: Democrat walkout blocks passage of voting restriction law

Al Jazeera  

Critics say the law, like many recently passed across the US, would make it more difficult for some people to vote. The legislation is the most recent attempt in state legislatures across the US to pass voting restrictions, which many Republican legislators have argued are needed to increase security at the polls. Meanwhile, the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, who …

Democrats In Texas Stage Walkout To Block Restrictive Voting Bill
3 years, 7 months ago

Democrats In Texas Stage Walkout To Block Restrictive Voting Bill

NPR  

Democrats In Texas Stage Walkout To Block Restrictive Voting Bill Republican lawmakers in Texas had to give up on a voting bill after Democrats walked out before a final vote. NOEL KING, HOST: Democrats in the Texas Statehouse walked off the floor late last night, effectively blocking a Republican- ASHLEY LOPEZ, BYLINE: Good morning. James Slattery, an attorney with the …

Texas voting bill: Democrats leave House floor, effectively blocking passage of restrictive voting bill for now
3 years, 7 months ago

Texas voting bill: Democrats leave House floor, effectively blocking passage of restrictive voting bill for now

CNN  

Austin, Texas CNN — Texas Republicans’ push to enact a slew of new voting restrictions was stymied – at least for now – by Democrats who walked off the state House floor late Sunday night, leaving majority Republicans without the quorum they needed to approve the bill in the final hours before a midnight deadline. “We may have won the …

Texas GOP’s strict voting bill on the verge of final vote
3 years, 7 months ago

Texas GOP’s strict voting bill on the verge of final vote

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Legislature was on the verge Sunday of signing off on some of the most restrictive voting measures in the U.S., putting the GOP on the brink of a major victory in their nationwide effort to tighten voting access following the 2020 election. Texas is the last big battleground in the GOP’s nationwide efforts to tighten …

EXPLAINER: How Texas Republicans aim to make voting harder
3 years, 7 months ago

EXPLAINER: How Texas Republicans aim to make voting harder

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas took a major step Sunday toward becoming the nation’s largest state where the GOP is making voting harder following the 2020 elections, with the Senate approving a bill that would empower poll watchers, create criminal penalties and add new restrictions on where, when and how to vote. Here are some details: WHAT THE LEGISLATION MEANS FOR …

Dramatic Democratic walkout kills Texas’ sweeping voting-restrictions bill, for now
3 years, 7 months ago

Dramatic Democratic walkout kills Texas’ sweeping voting-restrictions bill, for now

LA Times  

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan talks to fellow Republican members of the chamber before the start of the debate of Senate Bill 7 on Sunday. Texas Democrats pulled off a dramatic last-ditch walkout from the state House of Representatives on Sunday night to block passage of one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S., leaving Republicans with no …

Texas GOP puts final touches on sweeping voting restrictions
3 years, 7 months ago

Texas GOP puts final touches on sweeping voting restrictions

LA Times  

Opponents of the Texas bill restricting voting demonstrate outside the House chamber at the state Capitol in Austin on May 6. Texas Republicans dug in Saturday for a final weekend vote on some of the most restrictive new voting laws in the U.S., putting the last touches on a sweeping bill that would eliminate drive-through voting, empower partisan poll watchers …

Texas GOP’s voting restriction bill passes House
3 years, 8 months ago

Texas GOP’s voting restriction bill passes House

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has become the latest Republican-dominated state to advance sweeping new limits on voting, despite no evidence of any problems with last year’s vote and a coalition of state and federal officials calling the 2020 presidential election the most secure in history. I look forward to seeing you in federal court,” said Democratic state Rep. Trey Martinez …

Despite business warnings, GOP moves ahead with voting bills
3 years, 8 months ago

Despite business warnings, GOP moves ahead with voting bills

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican lawmakers around the country are pressing ahead with efforts to tighten voting laws, despite growing warnings from business leaders that the measures could harm democracy and the economic climate. More than 50 companies and business organizations, including some in Texas, released an open letter on Tuesday expressing opposition to “any changes” that would make it harder …

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