Dan Froomkin/presswatchers.orgMay 2, 2023

RT @SawyerHackett
Holy shit. The Texas Senate just passed a bill to give Greg Abbott’s handpicked Sec. of State the power to overturn elections in the 3rd biggest county in the U.S.

Republicans weaponizing 2020 election lies to rig elections. This is a HUGE story.

Show threadRobert OMay 3, 2023

@froomkin

This change would provide for a new election if there were more voters than expected and ballots were not available to accomodate them in the specified time. Correct? Election Code 51.008

Not a fan of Abbott, but still, how is this weaponizing?

• election officials response? Make sure enough ballots are on hand or in the pipeline.

Show threadarceuthobiumMay 3, 2023
@robt @froomkin why does it only apply to one county? And the law doesn’t actually require the ballots to have ever run out, only that the supervisor report that they are low.
Show threadRobert OMay 3, 2023

@theothersimo @froomkin

? Applies to counties with a population of more than 1 million .

Show threadarceuthobiumMay 4, 2023
@robt @froomkin my mistake. But, why does it only apply to six counties, and again the same six counties Texas aggressive suppressed votes in in 2020?
Show threadRobert O

@theothersimo @froomkin

Better argument. Is there a record of debate on the bill?

May 4, 2023 at 12:42amWeb
Show threadRobert OMay 4, 2023

@theothersimo @froomkin Did the bill originally say counties with population of 2.7m and then was amended?

While the text of the legislation does not explicitly mention Harris County, the authority it would vest in the Secretary of State applies only to counties with populations higher than 2.7 million. Harris is the largest county in Texas, with nearly 4.7 million

https://www.newsweek.com/texas-bill-will-give-republican-official-power-overturn-elections-1797955

Texas Bill Will Give Republican Official Power to Overturn Elections

The parameters of the new bill specifically target Harris County, the largest county in Texas, over ballot shortages in 2022.

Newsweek