P.S. The League of Women Voters of Texas is working tirelessly to advocate for all Texans this legislative session and beyond. Donate today to support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy!

Join us and people across the country in the Hands Off! National Day of Action on Saturday, April 5th to stand up against those who believe they can take whatever they want—our democracy, our future, and our rights. LWVUS is a national co-sponsor, and all of the lead organizations are non-partisan.

Key Objectives of the “Hands Off!” Protest:

1. Defending Public Institutions: Participants are rallying against efforts to dismantle federal agencies, such as the Department of Education, and the diversion of taxpayer funds to private interests.
2. Opposing Authoritarianism: The protest seeks to resist perceived authoritarian measures threatening democratic processes and civil liberties.
3. Challenging Corporate Influence: A significant focus is on countering the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk in government affairs, particularly regarding policies that may benefit private entities at the expense of public welfare.

Look for an event near you here!

“Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections”

On March 26th, the League of Women Voters of the US responded with this Press Statement.

On March 27th, a joint letter to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission an independent, bipartisan commission (consisting of the League of Women Voters of the US, the Brennan Center, the ACLU, the NAACP, and the Legal Defense Fund) explained why it would be unlawful for them to follow the president's recent executive order — which could block millions from voting — and urged them to stand firm and comply with the law.

Presidents lack the authority to rewrite election rules or direct the commission to do so. Only Congress and the states can set the rules for elections. The executive order’s attempt to require a passport or similar document to register to vote is also unlawful, unconstitutional, and wrong. It could block millions of eligible American citizens from voting, and implementing the order would violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

By Elisabeth MacNamara, LWVTX Vice President of Advocacy

There is la lot to watch this week and a lot of actions to take. Please note that the Action Alerts for SB 16 and for SB 2/HB 3 have been updated.

SB 16, requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, is on the Intent Calendar in the Senate this week. Making voting harder in the name of election security has been the theme of the last two legislative sessions. This session, the focus is on preventing real and mainly imagined noncitizens from registering and voting. SB 16 is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote is being sold as a commonsense measure to secure elections. However, it will not only make registering to vote harder, but it will also make administering elections harder and more costly.

Documentary proof of citizenship (SB 16), as well as educational savings accounts, also known as vouchers (HB 3/SB 2), both have track records in other states demonstrating that these policies do not live up to the expectations created by their proponents. Public pressure to point this out is timely and important!

On a happier note, we have an opportunity this week to register our support for HJR 7, a solution for Texas water funding at a critical juncture for the future of our state, and for several measures to improve prospects for children and families in need. HB 1211 improves access to continuing education for children aging out of foster care; HB 321 expands access to health insurance for vulnerable children; HB 451 aims at preventing exploitation of vulnerable children; HB 1155 assists families pursuing reunification; and HB 215 supports relative caregivers of foster children.

Several bills aimed at strengthening the near total ban on abortions in Texas were heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee last week. The worst is SB 2880, which limits or eliminates the ability of anyone in or outside the state of Texas to offer information or assistance to those seeking an abortion. The bill attempts to regulate speech, commerce, and travel rights of those inside and outside Texas borders.

The Texas Senate passed SB 2, which establishes Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), and the Texas House Public Education Committee held a hearing for its companion bill, HB 3on Mar. 11th. ESAs are welfare for the wealthy. Texas already has school choice and needs to protect and fully fund its public schools. Contact your Representative and urge them to say NO to HB 3!

SB 2880 is an extreme, unconstitutional attack on free speech, interstate travel, and medical privacy. This bill criminalizes all forms of support for abortion care, including information-sharing, travel assistance, and financial aid--even when the abortion is legal in another state. Contact members of the Senate Committee on State Affairs and urge them to oppose SB 2880!

HJR 7 amends the state constitution (with voter approval) to allow an investment of $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund. Funding is needed for water conservation strategies that offer immediate and sustainable benefits to Texas. Contact your representative and urge them to support HJR 7!

HB 321 addresses the high number of uninsured children in Texas by implementing an express lane option for children eligible to enroll in Medicaid or the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)  .Contact the members of the House Subcommittee on Disease Prevention and Women and Children's Health and urge them to say YES to HB 321!

HB 1211 removes the time limit for foster children aging out of foster care to take advantage of tuition and fee waivers for higher education. This ensures that more children in foster care or formerly in foster care can access their essential continuing education benefits. Contact members of the House Committee on Higher Education to ask them to support HB 1211!

Representative Mihaela E. Plesapresented House Resolution 334 on the floor of the House at the Texas Capitol, recognizing LWV Collin County Day on Feb. 24th and honoring them on their 50th anniversary. Read more here.

LWV Williamson County remembered the history of civil and voting rights as they marched 2-by-2 supporting their brothers and sisters from Wesley Chapel AME Church in Georgetown, marking 60 years since the march in Selma, AL that came to be known as Bloody Sunday. Read more here.

LWV San Antonio's Program & Advocacy Committee attended “Collaborating for a Cause," for those interested in protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation and honoring Not On Our Watch TX. Pictured: Betsy Riley, Lauren Bick, Diane Simpson, Kate Martin

LWV Texas, along with LWV Austin Area, LWV Williamson County, and LWV Hays County hosted "Light for Our Democracy" at the Texas Capitol, an event to bring people together, from across the country, in reflection, action, and solidarity during the President’s address to Congress on March 4th. View images from the event here. View videos here and here.

To celebrate Women's History Month, Sarah Freeman Fontenot, BSN, JD spoke on "Moving Forward Together" at the LWV Hill Country membership meeting at the Llano County Historical Museum. Read more here.

Volunteers from LWV Fort Bend registered voters at the Ismaili Jamatkhana & Center in Sugar Land on Mar. 28th. On Apr. 12th, they will be co-hosting the Sugar Land Mayoral Forum. Read more here.

A coalition of Texas voting and civil rights advocates announced this week they will not continue to pursue litigation related to the discriminatory gerrymandering of Congressional and state legislative districts in the state. Read more here.

Election Protection Poll Monitor volunteers will be in the field for the May election ensuring that voting is safe, secure, and free from obstruction. Previous volunteers should have received an email from the coalition with reminders. The following is the information in case you might have missed it.

As early voting approaches, EP shifts and polling locations will be shared.. At the moment, priority locations will be Bexar, Tarrant, Harris, Dallas, El Paso, Collin, Cameron, Bastrop, Williamson, Nueces, Galveston, Hidalgo, and Gillespie Counties. If you are trained as a Poll Monitor, but your polling places are not listed, you will still be able to participate. Just be sure to complete and submit the polling site checklist.

More information about Election Protection:

• Returning Poll Monitor Volunteers – If you’d like a refresher on the training, you can watch the training video here.
• New Poll Monitor Volunteers – Please watch the recorded training and complete this quiz.
• While it now appears that the EP Hotline does not require any volunteers for this cycle, the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), which addresses issues that are reported through the Hotline and are specific to Texas, is in need of volunteers during early voting and Election Day. TCRP will train and supervise volunteers for participation. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, contact Marilyn Minnaar.
• Please continue to share the Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE at events and through newsletters and social media.

Please contact Marilyn Minnaar with any questions.

Join Rise for Freedom for a series of live, online trainings intended for in-person groups nationwide on Thursday evenings over 7 weeks, beginning April 3rd. The goal of the training series is to bring people together, grow and strengthen their local networks, and get ready to mobilize to demand democracy in this new challenging environment.

Learn more and register here.

Next week, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could allow states to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood health centers. On Wednesday, April 2nd, join us at the Rally for Patients' Rights, as we standing alongside Planned Parenthood and allies in front of the Supreme Court to help us fight back and uplift the voices of patients and providers. Go to League In Action to take virtual action.

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