Estimated Time to Read: 5 minutes
In a recent statement, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) addressed the findings of the Texas Secretary of State’s election audit of Harris County, focusing on the 2021-2022 election cycle. The report exposed significant flaws in the county’s election administration, prompting Patrick to highlight the necessity of Senate Bills 1750 and 1933. These bills, authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), were intended to reform the election processes in Harris County.
Patrick criticized Harris County officials for attempting to bypass these reforms and expressed concerns about the potential for non-citizen voter registration. He stressed that these findings underscore the need for strict oversight to maintain election integrity in Texas.
Beyond the audit, Patrick didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Texas House leadership, particularly targeting Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). Patrick highlighted what he sees as a failure by Phelan to support critical election integrity legislation, stating that numerous bills passed by the Senate were either blocked or never given a hearing in the House. This criticism continues to add fuel to the already ongoing feud between Patrick and Phelan stemming from the most recent legislative session in 2023.
“As I have mentioned several times, many key bills regarding voter integrity and elections passed the Texas Senate only to be killed in the Texas House under the leadership of Speaker Dade Phelan. Most never even received a hearing in committee. The Texas Senate passed 23 election-related bills that did not pass the House. These bills would have been a step toward restoring the public’s confidence in fair and honest elections in the State of Texas. It’s an absolute disgrace that Speaker Phelan killed these critical bills.”
Patrick listed 23 bills passed by the Senate that he believes would have significantly bolstered election integrity in Texas. These included measures such as SB 2, which would address illegal voting, and SB 990, aimed at eliminating the countywide polling place program. Full List below:
| Bill Number | Author | Caption |
|---|---|---|
| SB 2 | Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) | Relating to conduct constituting the criminal offense of illegal voting. |
| SB 220 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to the enforcement of laws relating to elections. |
| SB 221 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions. |
| SB 260 | Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) | Relating to confirmation of a voter’s residence by a voter registrar. |
| SB 397 | Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) | Relating to the procedures for closing a polling place. |
| SB 747 | Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) | Relating to the withdrawal of a candidate in a runoff primary election. |
| SB 921 | Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) | Relating to the determination of a majority vote in certain elections. |
| SB 990 | Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) | Relating to elimination of the countywide polling place program. |
| SB 1039 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to processes to address election irregularities; providing a civil penalty. |
| SB 1044 | Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) | Relating to criminal offenses for the creation or distribution of certain misleading images and videos. |
| SB 1600 | Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) | Relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas. |
| SB 1705 | Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) | Relating to nominations by primary election by certain political parties. |
| SB 1807 | Drew Springer (R-Muenster) | Relating to the unlawful altering of election procedures; providing a civil penalty. |
| SB 1907 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty. |
| SB 1909 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order. |
| SB 1911 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to election supplies and the conduct of elections; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties. |
| SB 1938 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to the failure of a voter registrar to comply with voter registration laws. |
| SB 1950 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to accepting an early voting ballot voted by mail; creating a criminal offense. |
| SB 1993 | Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) | Relating to the authority of the secretary of state to order a new election in certain counties. |
| SB 2071 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to automatic recounts of certain elections. |
| SB 2208 | Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) | Relating to the venue for the prosecution of an election offense. |
| SB 2433 | Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) | Relating to certain election practices and procedures; increasing a criminal penalty; providing an administrative penalty. |
| SB 2451 | José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) | Relating to personal information entered on the carrier envelope of a ballot to be voted by mail. |
Implications for the Upcoming Legislative Session
The ongoing tensions between Patrick and Phelan are likely to influence the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, starting in January 2025. If Phelan retains his position as Speaker, these disputes could shape the legislative agenda and priorities, potentially hindering progress on key issues.
Patrick’s list of stalled bills serves as a reminder of the broader debate on election integrity in Texas. With the Texas House Committee on Elections seeing a new chair following State Rep. Reggie Smith’s (R-Van Alstyne) primary election loss, there may be shifts in how election-related legislation is handled in the next session.
As Texas gears up for its next legislative session, the scrutiny on election processes and the political power dynamics between the Senate and House will be crucial factors in determining the state’s legislative future.
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