A Texas Senate panel approved penalties to combat mail-in ballot fraud.
“Mail-ballot voting is a prime target for illegal voting and election fraud,” said Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who authored the measure, Senate Bill 5. “In the U.S., the right to vote is sacred. Any attempt to steal an American’s vote … must be addressed.”
This new focus on mail-in balloting marks a change for the Republican-lead legislature, seeking to address a vulnerability in our state’s election process. Current Texas law allows people with disabilities to request and receive mail-in ballots. These ballots currently stand outside of our robust voter ID requirements.
Dallas city council elections recently were investigated for “irregularities.” Some in West Dallas received mail-in ballots they never requested, leading to fears that something fishy was afoot. The propose bill widens the definition of mail-in ballot fraud, increases penalties for those caught, and some other strict measures. This bill is said to protect the elderly and disabled from having their votes stolen or abused.