Texas Mail-in Ballot Fraud Bill Expected to Sail Through Senate Committee

Austin--A Senate committee is poised to approved legislation that would increase penalties for mail-in ballot fraud involving the elderly, a problem that's nagged Texas elections for decades.The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, would increase the penalties for some offenses related to illegally assisting an elderly person with voting, or illegally handling or harvesting a ballot.A fraudulent use of a ballot, for instance, would rise from a state jail felony to a third degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.The law deals specifically with fraud targeted at residents over the age of 65, and also places tougher penalties on repeat offenders or persons with multiple charges for the same election."It will reduce illegal assistance," Hancock said Sunday during a hearing of the State Affairs Committee. "Those that are doing it legally have nothing to fear.""This bill is long overdue," said Allan Vera, of the Harris County Republican Party.The push to toughen mail-in voter fraud laws comes after a high-profile mail-in ballot scandal in West Dallas and Grand Prairie.  Continue reading...