The political climate is heating up in Texas as we get closer to the general election in November.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says more than one million people have been removed from the state’s voter rolls. The removal was made possible by an election integrity law that took effect in 2021.
According to the governor, those removed include people who no longer live in Texas, are deceased, or are noncitizens.
Christina Sanders – executive director of the PoliChic Engagement Fund – said the news could send the wrong message to some voters, and encourages every Texan to check their voter registration status.
“Language matters, and the way people talk about politics – voting, voter registration, voter fraud – I think all those things matter,” said Sanders. “And it’s concerning that the state of Texas is not making it easier for people to vote, and that the laws are changing every single year.”
The deadline to register is October 7. Texans cannot register online, but voter registration cards are available at county elections offices and some libraries.
You can check your voter registration status at votetexas.gov.
Sanders said she is also concerned about a series of raids ordered by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton – which occurred at the homes of Latinos in south Texas and San Antonio, who work to mobilize voters.
She said the actions by the AG are a threat to democracy.
“Everyone should be concerned with those types of Gestapo-like tactics,” said Sanders. “Even reading the claims, it was not a situation where someone’s home should be raided. Those are traditional intimidation, like psychological situations to get people thinking that there is something to fear.”
Leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens say the raids are an attempt to suppress the vote and are calling for a federal investigation.
The attorney general says the raids were conducted as part of an investigation into election integrity.
Cover Photo: More than one million people have been removed from the voter rolls in Texas since 2021 and the Texas Attorney General’s office has conducted raids at the homes of Latino volunteers who register people to vote. As we get closer to the general election, voting-rights advocates encourage Texans to be prepared for the upcoming general election. Comments from Christina Sanders, executive director, PoliChic (poly-chick) Engagement Fund.
Publisher’s Notes: TX voters encouraged to check status was first published by Public News Service, and republished with permission.
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