Texas House Gives Initial Approval to Law Increasing Penalties for Mail-in Ballot Fraud

AUSTIN — The Texas House gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill that would increase penalties for mail-in election crimes.Senate Bill 5, authored by Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, was approved by a vote of 90-37 despite vociferous opposition from House Democrats who spent hours trying to amend and kill the bill. The bill still needs to be approved one more time before clearing the House. Gov. Greg Abbott, who has promised to fight voter fraud in the state, made it one of his priority issues for the special legislative session. The issue received little attention during the regular session despite being the primary way experts believe voter fraud occurs. But it gained traction after allegations of mail-in ballot fraud in West Dallas and Grand Prairie this spring.  Continue reading...