Before a Democratic walkout blocked passage of an "election integrity" bill in the Texas Lege, members had split over how to respond to the legislation.
Fearing primary challenges, GOP lawmakers focused mostly on wedge issues rather than the COVID-19 pandemic and the failure of the state’s electric grid.
The end of the 87th Texas legislature was one filled with mixed emotions from lawmakers and uncertainty over an impending special session. “To say this session was unique was an understatement, every day was something new, but we persevered,” said Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R- Beaumont, just before gaveling out of the session. “There's a lot of work to be done, but Texas is better off because of the work that was done in the Texas House of.
The Texas bill will allow partisan “poll watchers” to intimidate election workers and voters. It will also expand the authority of the courts to void election results based on voter fraud allegations.