Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says tighter restrictions on mail-in ballot procedures will deter voter fraud Abbott has declared ‘election security’ an emergency legislative item, but critics say it’s more about voter suppression than fraud. AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott wants to clamp down on mail-in ballot procedures as he navigates a fine line in pursuing state legislation to deter voter fraud in the aftermath of insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. One day after declaring “election security” an emergency item for the Texas Legislature to consider this year, Abbott declined on Tuesday to endorse claims by former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.