Texas Senator Carol Alvarado is filibustering the voter suppression bill

[Mersky]

Last edited Thu Aug 12, 2021, 12:41 PM - Edit history (2)

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Mersky]

1. Link to livestream

https://www.senate.texas.gov/av-live.php

[Mersky]

2. Currently Sen Whitmire and Sen Alvarado were discussing the bunk poll watcher provision

Not completely settled to post continually just yet. Tune in and add comments.

Now reading testimony from a resident of Carrollton, Tx

[Mersky]

2. Currently Sen Whitmire and Sen Alvarado were discussing the bunk poll watcher provision

Not completely settled to post continually just yet. Tune in and add comments.

Now reading testimony from a resident of Carrollton, Tx

[Mersky]

4. Duped it, d'oh!

[TexasTowelie]

103. You duped it so well that there is no post #3.

Thank you for the thread, I was about to post a link to the Texas Tribune coverage, but since you have livestream...

[Mersky]

5. Is highlighting how hard it is to find assistance during this time of nursing shortages

Daughter of a veteran, her read testimony speaks to the unfairness of criminalizing assistants within the bill

[ColinC]

6. do they have a quorum??

[Mersky]

9. No idea what's happening in the House

Enough are present in the Senate for the filibustering

[Mersky]

7. Texas is already one of the hardest states to vote in

Daughter of a Taiwanese immigrant whose mother had to wait 40 years to vote as a naturalized citizen.

Testimony to the point out that one would have to sign a form to give folks rides to the polls — those who may or may not be blood relatives, but nonetheless are as family

Does not want the limitations to prevent naturalized citizens from receiving assistance

[Mersky]

8. She yields to a question as long as it doesn't remove her from the floor

[Mersky]

10. Discussing with Sen Blanco about the poll watchers

Creating a confrontational atmosphere if they’re given too much authority

[Mersky]

11. Whoa, Blanco mentioned a case where a voter called into a hotline

Saying that a poll watcher or worker* hovered around her within 3 ft! That this was at a primarily Latino polling location.

Sen Alvarado questions the quality of the language of the bill and whether poll watchers need to be amped up.

*is my confusion, not theirs

[Mersky]

12. Do we know if a poll watcher is allowed to touch a ballot?

Alvarado - I have not been advised.

Blanco - I have not been advised, either.

And then bringing up 144 instances of poll watcher intimidation in Harris County.

[Mersky]

13. Heard testimony from hundreds of Texans; most of which were opposed to this bill

— as Sen Blanco concludes his questioning

[Mersky]

14. Madame Chair, I will yield for questions if it does not remove me from the floor.

Sen Gutierrez now questioning about the portion of the bill regarding ballot harvesting - that he (talk drunk of beard from east Texas, Hughes) made a big deal. That of the 22 pages of the bill 3 are about that.

They’re all concerned about cheating, but at the end of the day, they’re interested in shaving votes.

This road to perdition started right after the election. TFG - the election is stolen! The election is stolen! State after state, Republican Secretaries of State have declared the elections were valid. Even in our state.

Here we are mail-in ballot, ballot harvesting, boogeymen

Our AG spent 22,000 man hours looking for fraud. Hopes republicans are listening — that they’re being bamboozled.

Wants to dissect the bill with you (Alvarado). Telling republican constituency and hope they’re listening and vast.

Lol, being interrupted, told to ‘stick to talking to the bill’ — he resumes, “let’s dissect this bill…” ( mic drop) keeps going..

[Mersky]

15. Page 1 -- highlighting new language

Regarding exchange between registrars - two registrars - two unfunded mandates!!!! Is a section of new language


Oooo, I’ve needed this OMG

[Mersky]

16. Alvarado - that's not the only unfunded mandate 👀

[Mersky]

17. Page 2 - if the registrar determines that the voter is not eligible to vote

Shall deliver to the AG the relevant facts - now this is not new language, but it’s a new step…

Alvarado agrees

[Mersky]

18. Wondering when we'd get to citizenship

Line 18, page 2

Yet another unfunded mandate regarding DPS records, ehh, hand off

Is too bad, Sen Hughes is not here to defend this

Line 29 - Sec of State shall enter into an agreement with DPS

Have a state agency which is DPS and another Sec of State needing to work together - is another unfunded mandate.

[Mersky]

19. When we get to the nut cuttin' on this one ... yet another unfunded mandate 🥜

[Mersky]

20. How many FTE's will be imposed on agencies based upon this ruse

Referring to the bill analysis

Alvarado is glad he raised the point of how agencies will pay for more government, big brother government

Are you aware that Abraham Lincoln said the role of government was to do what the people cannot do for themselves… not sure why we need to do this if the only thing is offending Donald tRump.

[Mersky]

21. I recommend listening in

It’s illuminating

[Mersky]

22. The 22,000 hours spent by the AG's office lead to nowhere

Their own republican appointed Sec of State said there was no fraud, and now she’s gone… adios

(Dayum, that’s all true)

[Mersky]

23. There's not a whole lot on ballot harvesting, mostly big government

[Mersky]

24. Oooooo talking about eliminating the word, "complaint"

He’s removing the necessity of a criminal complaint for alleging voter fraud. A mere innuendo is all Hughes bill requires.

___
Drives me nuts, that’s striking of complaint. Ugh.

[Mersky]

25. Line 33 - reminding republicans at home - not a lot of security, lots of big government

Clerk shall send a notice to the registrar, Secretary of State, AG, and the county attorney

On the 3rd business day of each month have to send every month — more unfunded mandate

Correct, it just keeps pulling and piling on

[Mersky]

26. Wants to talk about Houston

Yup people of Houston than what they’re doing for their voters tonight

[Mersky]

27. Does this bill outlaw drive thru voting?

Even then there’s no evidence of voter fraud in drive thru voting. Gutierrez calls Houston the Pittsburg of Texas — (he’s not right, but he ain’t wrong). Houston does have a lot of shift workers.

[Mersky]

28. Democrats and republicans signed off on this plan

They didn’t complain about it then.

Great big pile of shift!

[Mersky]

29. This bill is a great big pile of shift

[Mersky]

30. Repubs are offended, Gutierrez asks if they want to censor his comments

He’s not been disrespectful, just highly listenable.

[Mersky]

31. A polling place must not be in a tent?

Is something that was contested, in the Toyota Center. How in Eckhardt’s district in Austin how a trailer in a HEB parking lot was effected.

Is this about preventing fraud or shaving votes?

[Mersky]

32. Is a manner in which to shave votes

Not improve security

[Mersky]

33. We have county administrators somewhere in the debate today

How what may work in East Texas may not work in Harris County. How in a pandemic these provisions would no longer be in place.

[Mersky]

34. He's nostalgic for the days of local control, the better days w/his colleagues when he was respected

Doesn’t it seem clear that this bill, big brother or little sister, says, I’m gonna show you how to run your elections

[Mersky]

35. Page 4 Opening and closing polls

[Mersky]

36. New language and no mention of fraud, but local control

Is more about telling brother or little sister what to do

Is substantially more control from the state for local elections

[Mersky]

37. Tabulating machines - regarding the wireless components

Might effect some of the smaller counties. Is an unfunded mandate in smaller counties in these uncertain times.

[Mersky]

38. County clerks and checklists

Sec of State office — promulgate a form — “I have no idea what this section is about” boxes and nitpicking

___
Me too - what the heck with the form?!!!

[Mersky]

39. Lol, Gutierrez spoke only Spanish as child, watched a lot of westerns

And then this happened — he’s a very lively, good speaker

[Mersky]

40. Page 5, line 5

With a county of 30,000 or more… 24hrs

Questioning what happened last cycle in Bexar, and Harris County as well — referring back to all the shifffttt workers.
Not more Democrats voted; more people voted — both parties broke records. Yet, this bill chooses to disenfranchise voters.

What was one of the reasons? Not being able to get poll workers?

Alvarado - no not so much, we were in the pandemic, people laid off, wasn’t much of a problem

[Mersky]

41. Line 67 - temporary structure

Another recitation against Harris County drive thru voting and this involves early voting.., won’t go on for the subsequent twenty lines of new laws

[Mersky]

42. And yet, more language at the bottom about needing to let the Sec State know

Of any changes, and possibilities of more FTEs — more hiring and unfunded mandates

[Mersky]

43. Page 7 - needs answers from Hughes about how this is about fraud & not making it harder on counties

The republican Sec of State, she is no longer there

[Mersky]

44. Who's going to pay for the surveillance systems needed in large counties?

Another unfunded mandate — Says he’s not necessarily opposed, but the sheer amount of money is not prescribed and unknown

[Mersky]

45. Now the county has to livestream in Bexar County - we've gotta hire

Videographers.

Ooo, Eckhardt will detail the cost of elections later.

[Mersky]

46. This bill has had a lot of talking points; a lot of sound bites

Filibusters are really more apt towards the end of session; but we don’t have that in the serving special session. The majority of filibusters (72%) have been used to do what we’re doing here today.

Complimenting Hughes as a talented litigator, but that this is not about fraud, but about shaving votes, disenfranchising voters.

[Mersky]

47. Page 7, line 27 - training manual for poll watchers from Sec of State

More FTEs; more unfunded mandate

Shall provide and “make it available” - no requirement to read it or take an exam

[Mersky]

48. Boston's more than a feeling is heard in the background

Quieted now

[Mersky]

49. Provide that manual in every county; printing; assembly -- costs money

Gutierrez thanking Alvarado for debunking this bill

[Mersky]

50. By the time you get done listening to Hughes, you're a 20 yr old used car

“He’s just that good”

[Mersky]

51. Currently there's rules for poll watchers

Must people want to be outside and be a card pusher.

There may be a lot more that goes on than watchers.

[Mersky]

52. Gutierrez raising the specter of proud boys as watchers

[Mersky]

53. There's no language to limit peering over shoulders

[Mersky]

54. Does this language allow for a large and scary guy could lean over my shoulder

It’s not eliminated from possibilities of what could happen.

Standing behind Larry Taylor - breathing down his neck - there’s nothing to keep him from being intimidated. What if it’s a big guy, like Hulk Hogan.

If I have Hulk Hogan breathing down my neck, why is that necessary.

Going from conveniently near to free moving. Not sure what the senatorial language is, but shame on the person who would let some goon behind me, behind my 11 year old or 14 year old that comes with me to vote.

[Mersky]

55. Line 62 - it's not that I don't want poll watcher, it's that I don't want watchers

Scaring my kids

[Mersky]

56. An administrative function - tabulating votes, sending over votes

That’s okay, but no one should be breathing down my neck.

Is this bill more about vote shaving?

It’s about that, but would say it’s about suppression.

Minneola Senator says it’s not about voter intimidation, but it is, we have a whole section about intimidation

Did you hear of any obstruction of poll watchers in Harris County, in the Houston Chronicle about poll watchers not being able to see the tabulating process? Alvarado - no

We’ve got new criminal offense for taking any action against a poll watcher’s behavior.

That it’ll invite complaints, and further unfunded mandates.

[Mersky]

57. Where's the search for fraud? But these proud boys?

Could discourage people from being poll workers.

[Mersky]

58. Inspectors - doesn't know where they come from

From some agency. The relief from this section is provided under a state inspector under chapter 34.

[Mersky]

59. Wish we'd been making a list of all these unfunded mandates

How many times is there an unidentified cost?

[Mersky]

60. Gutierrez is handing off discussion to Sen Sarah Eckhardt

That’s my Senator!

Regarding Bexar County - cost would be between $350,000; $13 million new equipment. The surveillance cost would vary over how many elections are held each year. Additional costs from printing forms.

Alvarado calls for more estimations from other counties.

Fort Bend - $250,000-$12 million

Cameron County $250,000 and $5 million

Clear unfunded mandate from a bill that targets zero fraud

[Mersky]

61. Now, Sen Eckhardt is discussing the bill with Alvarado

Reiterating various counties’ costs - Bexar, Cameron… Fort Bend

The machine equipment; printing costs, and surveillance combine to the given ranges.

See my comment just before this one for the amounts - is same.

[Mersky]

62. Talking about needing to pay for a delivery service like UPS instead of a county drop box

Asking what the difference is between dropping a mail in ballot in a metal box marked UPS or FedEx and one from the county.

So now, the county office will need shift workers to process those delivered ballots.

[TexasTowelie]

108. Wouldn't that in essence amount to a poll tax?

While I'm still capable of making it to my polling location, riding the bus, and wheeling myself uphill to vote, I am disabled and it would be more difficult for me to find a FedEx or UPS drop-off spot and then to pay about $8 to mail a ballot is an unreasonable expense for those living on limited budgets.

[Mersky]

63. Is local government more or less transparent than state government

And so the state will force more transparency on local governments than on the state — especially with regards to the fiscal requirements with the costs of the bill

[Mersky]

64. Section 309; line 67

Software to track all activity on the electronic device.

Alvarado - we are combing through this looking for things we may have missed

Eckhardt - how it’s redundant, and makes it appear there’s secret shenanigans

And questioning why certain things that need to be codified — and why only in some based on size.

I don’t think any county elections supervisor would object except for why it’s not equally applied or why it needs to be codified at all.


And now mentioning the voting systems requirements and the burden it places in smaller counties. The larger counties that will meet this date and concerned whether they meet federal law.

[Mersky]

65. The Sec of State shall promulgate a form and post on its website

Is curious to me that we’re codifying common practice

[Mersky]

66. The iterations in this law sets a floor, but does not allow

(Oof got distracted)

[Mersky]

67. Redundant codifying of what elections administrators are already doing

[George McGovern]

69. So Much republican gobbledygook!

It is fascinating to watch and listen to this process. Thanks so much, Mersky, for bringing this to us. I really like Sen Sarah Eckhardt!

[Mersky]

68. Why do they not allow an electronic signature? Banks don't even use ink anymore.

Someone can use DocuSign. At 3am in the morning, someone can move large sums of money without an inked signature.

[Mersky]

70. A nonpartisan office cannot send out invitation to eligible

Voters - 65 and up. But a partisan can, even though the nonpartisan professional has a maintained list of eligible mail in voters.

So, in the past the county clerk could have sent out vote by mail applications, but didn’t because partisan campaigns preferred to do it as a campaign activity.

So, seems if anything, this law should attempt to flip that.

[Mersky]

71. How do you think this provision assists with individuals voting by mail?

( Lol, that’s was Eckhardt rephrasing of the question after a stern repub voice butted in trying to insinuate she was off topic. Not in my book, is all on tip. Have been tired of the generic characterizations thrown around in the media. Gotta get wonky to get to the nut cuttin’ lol)

[Mersky]

72. Shining a light on the questions around this bill

[Shell_Seas]

73. Why am I just seeing this? Amazing!!

[George McGovern]

76. This IS Amazing Shell_Seas. Agreed.

Poking holes in such a terrible piece of legislation. Bringing its contents to light.

[Mersky]

74. Distribution of election application forms

An employee of this office may not use funds to send applications to eligible voters, but a partisan candidate can.

Why is that? I don’t understand it either. Seems it should be the other way around.

___
That jazz really, really bugs me.

[Mersky]

75. Now saying there's always a few that votes twice, but it's usually an elderly voter

And it gets picked up in the canvass— there’s already a process in place, those cases go to the county attorney

[Mersky]

77. Oooo, how the identity of the voter is given by the mail in ballot

Envelope as detailed in the bill — the voter is identified with ballot!

__
Wut! Not cool!

[Mersky]

78. Okay, so, Eckhardt talks really fast

She’s brilliant, but is going really, really fast over the lengthy new section over how the ballot can be cured —- and! there’s a roll for a poll watcher in the curing of a ballot.

[Mersky]

79. Section 4.13, line 11

Only if the information identifies the same voter — voter matching ID.

line 38 - regarding matching the signature - sets up a rebuttal presumption of the signature which is an improvement over the original bill, thanks Hughes for that.

[Mersky]

80. The existing law says can review two signatures over the past year

How different are signatures if you can go back to any signature from any previous year?

__

Shocking - my signature is so much shorter than it used to be! Argh! And! I have a different one for signing credit cards pads. Yikes.

[Mersky]

81. Are the attorney general does not have original jurisdiction to act on

Election, erm, matters … missed some of that, but is important.

The AG does not have original jurisdiction over something regarding voters as laid out in the Texas Constitution and case law.

[Mersky]

82. This bill is not only suppressive, but fiscally expensive.

I paraphrased that horribly

[Mersky]

83. Eckhardt has a wealth of knowledge about the nuts and bolts

Of elections law and the mechanics. Working knowledge. Valuable info from her that might have made the repubs’ bill less turd-like.

[Mersky]

84. Section 4.19 line 64-69 Eligibility of a person's to vote and identity

A ballot being questioned for acceptability — a volunteer can retain identifying notes about that voter and ballot! Wtf?

[Mersky]

85. A poll watcher is entitled to view any activity under this section!

Probably need to call their role something other than ‘poll watcher.’

Eckhardt - points out that there’s no penalties, fines, or criminal penalties like there are for poll workers

[Mersky]

86. Three or more voters - providing transportation must fill out a form

Of whether they’re providing assistance only for transportation or the other assistance in the next section.

Need my name, address, etc.
___
Y’all - this would be me if I live at my old apartment driving neighbors to the store or laundromat. Could have been the polls if they couldn’t walk to it. Ugh. Total overreach.

[Mersky]

87. Page 15; section F

(Oh heck, it’s the consanguinity paragraph.)

Need to be related the voter in the second degree or within the third degree in consanguinity. Holey moley. It’s totally insane.

[Mersky]

88. Eligibility for assistance

Would you agree that someone assisting the voter should state that they are not pressuring, getting paid/ paying to help the voter.

Now getting to the oath — I swear or affirm under penalty of perjury…

The oath confines the assistant to only stating what’s on the ballot, cannot answer questions beyond that.

___
The oath is a ridiculous monstrosity. Ludicrous.

[Mersky]

89. Does this go on the list of discouragement and confusion

Alvarado - yes

___

Mersky - yes!

[Mersky]

90. Common practice in campaigns made illegal in this bill

Phone banking and asking of someone needs a ride to the polls — this bill makes that illegal

[Mersky]

91. Consanguinity sounds like something a snake does

That’s all me, had to get a charging cable

[Mersky]

92. One of the themes of Eckhardt is the redundancy of codifying

That makes regular operation seem needlessly nefarious

[LetMyPeopleVote]

93. Yeah for Carol

Link to tweet

[Mersky]

94. 6.03 - Vote Harvesting

If you’re in person trying to get someone to vote for Bob — that’s harvesting, but if you’re on the phone trying to get them to vote for Bob that’s fine.

Eckhardt takes issue with the definition of voter harvesting — it is so vague, so as possibly include door knockers — who do not intend to physically collect ballots or be involved with the ballot.

If they’re paid door knockers, and a mail in ballot is in the periphery somewhere, they might be in violation even if they don’t physically interact, take possession of, or involved with the filling out ballot.

If you commit an offense, it’s a third degree felony (which are typically rather heinous, awful).

Harm is defined as standing to get relief, and to have standing you must be harmed - circular, but you don’t have to show that vote harvesting occurred!

You don’t have to prove a single vote was harvested, but you could be awarded all this stuff.

Oh heck, damages can be figured not on the basis of how many votes were harvested (and not necessarily proven), but on how many people were contacted! Ugh!

[Mersky]

95. When I read through this section the first time

The words vote harvesting seemed like a label used for talking points.

But listening now, and trying to relate their arguments, I’m seeing just how ham fisted and dangerous to regular campaigning that has nothing to do with scooping up physical ballots for delivering to a different location.

[Mersky]

96. Yes, why is it that registrars can be fined for information

That the Secretary of State can update itself? But will charge the registrars at $1,000 per.

What is the purpose of moving the money up to the state from the county and does not get rid of the registrar that was not updating the records?

[Mersky]

97. Eckhardt - Have not found anywhere in this bill where a poll watcher

Faces criminal or civil penalty, job loss or fines.

But a professional election worker in the clerks office or elections division does - starting positions at the clerks office is $42k.

[catrose]

98. Thank you, Carol!

[Mersky]

99. Section 7.03 (a) - provides opportunity for venue shopping

Could take an election contest back to your old hometown instead of where the election was held.

Is bananas

[Mersky]

100. Preponderance of evidence

Is the lowest threshold of evidence, and yet there’s a stipulated $1,000 damages without regard to any judge’s discretion. That it’s a real oddity.

[Mersky]

101. Alvarado is now resuming reading testimony

Eckhardt said her thanks and how a greater public discussion was needed earlier.

[TexasTowelie]

102. Link to the Texas Tribune article:

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/11/texas-voting-bill-filibuster/

[LetMyPeopleVote]

104. All Eyes on Texas' Fight for Voting Rights as Senator Alvarado Enters Sixth Hour of Filibuster

Link to tweet

[Mersky]

105. I'm listening, but gotta go tend to the cats

I can identify with many of the testimonies the Alvarado is reading out. Names are different, but places and situations familiar, like that from Bill and Jeannie.

[Mersky]

106. Sen. Powell now asking questions

Reviewing the ADA passed under Bush I. Emphasizing the need to listen to Texans with disabilities, and not just to satisfy the law.

[Mersky]

107. She related the story of her father

A veteran who severely injured his hand, and lost his fingers. She described how he used a rubber band to attach a pen to his hand in order to write and sign his name. Her issues with the signature mismatch portion of the bill comes with personal understanding of the additional burden the bill would place on voters like her father.

She spoke of a young woman with a severe form of CP that causes her hand to shake.

How SB 1 violates the federal law, and how the oath did not describe or define the assistance in a manner that includes the real needs of voters with disabilities.

[Mersky]

109. Powell then brought up similar name affidavit

How married or divorced persons — especially women — change their names. Related different name conventions, how latinas are more likely to change their names. The need to a provide similar name affidavit when voting under this bill would subject their vote to the questionable signature mismatch, ehh, methods in the bill.

[Mersky]

110. Sen Royce West was discussing the bill

(And my cat’s received her saline treatment.)

At the start of his speaking he mentioned that the Heritage Foundation is freaked out by the concept of same day voter registration.

Missed a lot in here as I was up and about, but gosh, he has an amazing voice. I would like to know more about his disparity study amendment.

[Mersky]

111. Alvarado is reading testimony

Really amazing, she’s very good at pacing her words.

[Mersky]

112. Now, Sen Hinajosa is asking questions

Regarding drive thru voting in Harris County

Alvarado thanks him for bringing up her county, as is a target of the bill.

He’s now emphasizing the benefits of 24 hrs for shift workers.

[Mersky]

113. Sen Zaffirini now asking questions

She’s listing out different minority groups as to whether they supported the bill. None support it.

[Mersky]

114. Sen Zaffirini now asking questions

She’s listing out different minority groups as to whether they supported the bill. None support it.

[TexasTowelie]

116. Well, you duped again

but at least the duplicate post received its own number.

[Mersky]

115. People without disabilities do not have to fill out this form.

It is a violation of the ADA.

[TexasTowelie]

117. 2:40 a.m. and the filibuster continues. nt

[Mersky]

118. Senator's filibuster over Texas voting bill passes 12th hour

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas state senator continued her filibuster Thursday morning of an elections bill in the latest tactic to extend the nation’s most visible standoff over voting rights.

Democrat Carol Alvarado began her filibuster shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday by speaking indefinitely, although she admitted that was unlikely to stop it from passing. She must remain standing and speaking during the filibuster, which entered its 12th hour Thursday morning.

https://www.chron.com/news/article/Houston-Senator-filibuster-Texas-voting-bill-16381904.php

[Mersky]

119. She was reading the testimony of a member of the LWV

When I awoke with a rundown battery and an earbud still in one ear.

Trying to get back to it, all the while deeply grateful to Sen. Alvarado.

[Mersky]

120. Section 3.03 allows for the free movement of poll watchers

[Mersky]

121. Registrars would be required to make a referral to AG for those who only attempt to register to vote

Instead of referrals for those ineligible individuals who attempt to cast a ballot.

[Mersky]

122. SB 1 targets naturalized citizens by using notoriously problematic DPS data

The 2019 case that LULAC brought:

But legal and advocacy groups protested the allegations, which derived primarily from crosschecks with records maintained by the state’s Department of Public Safety, which issues driver’s licenses and identification cards. Applicants have to show proof of citizenship when they apply for such documents, but don’t need to check in again if they naturalize later as U.S. citizens. Critics contend the list is almost certainly loaded with false positives, most of whom were legal permanent residents when they first started driving, but later became citizens”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lulac-sues-texas-to-stop-republican-led-voter-probe_n_5c509fb0e4b0f43e410ba8ab

[Mersky]

123. Good morning, Sen West

He replies, good morning… and then, she just keeps going.

[Mersky]

124. She just referenced Sen West's Barbara Jordan Fairness Act

[Mersky]

125. Sen Whitmire now asking questions

Going back to 1992 - how when Alvarado was just getting started in politics running for precinct judge, then as a UH student. (Go Coogs!)

28 years ago - they agreed the process seemed fair and going back how well it worked. Asking to recall if there were any complaints.

Whitmire continues mentions the move early voting close times to 4pm and marks it as one of the first instances of voter suppression.

Now relating how many calls about county matters like loose dogs and trash, lots of complaints and calls on all manner of that. Then he asks if she’s received complaints about voter fraud or elections. She says no she had not received election complaints.

Asks when she first ever heard anything about fraudulent elections — she replied it was sometime after the 2020 election

[Mersky]

126. Would you put election matters in the top 3 matters when convened in January

No, pandemic, grid topped concerns.

Whitmire is now calling for a round table with the proponents of the bill to discuss how the measures used in Harris County could benefit other counties.

Need to sit down, and can disagree without being disagreeable

[Mersky]

127. During the pandemic, Harris, Bexar, and Travis

Used more mobile and flexible methods of voting to maintain safety, and they didn’t alter the law to do it.

[Mersky]

128. She's now speaking forcefully in summary over the implications of the bill

Would like to figure out how to post the transcript. Am accustomed to federal records of such, but admittedly, less so for the state.

[Mersky]

129. What's wrong with offering drive thru voting during a pandemic?

What’s wrong with 24 hr voting? For shift workers (during a pandemic)?

Then closes with a quote from LBJ:

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

[Mersky]

130. I believe she has concluded her filibustering at or about 8:57 am CT

Audio in the chambers dropped out completely, even as Lt Dan stands at the dais, likely making noise. It’s probably cordial, grinning crocodile sounds, but not sure.

[Mersky]

131. Hughes is now up there rather breathlessly

Trying to pave over every abomination detailed overnight.

The bill passed, because GQPers have no shame or ethics.

[Mersky]

132. Senate is adjourned until 8/16 2pm

Whelp, they passed it, but there are so many weaknesses legally, fiscally, and constitutionally in the bill, that it’ll go to court over and over again.

That is, unless, a certain two senators find it in their hearts and wallets to pass some basic protections at the federal level. And so, us Texans go back to life under Grabbott as our kids and young folks get sick for tRump’s glorification.