Election bill blowback

HOUSTON — There is blowback to the state’s newly passed election bill, based on a measure initially authored by East Texas state Senator Bryan Hughes. Senate Bill 7 offers protections for poll watchers, limits polling places, and adds restrictions to those assisting voters. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says it doesn’t have to become law. Hidalgo says, “It is not too late, and it is time for leaders in all communities — but particularly in this community, which is being singled out by these bills — to stand up against voter suppression.” That’s in response to Harris County making voting easier last year during the pandemic. This bill would, for example, outlaw drive- through voting and 24-hour polling places. Hidalgo says this new bill is based on the lie that the 2020 election was somehow stolen.