Enlarge image
Democratic MPs at a demonstration against the new electoral law on Thursday
Photo: Eric Gay / AP
According to media reports, several dozen Democratic MPs from the Texas House of Representatives have fled to Washington, DC, to prevent a Republican electoral law. Accordingly, at least 50 MPs left the Capitol in Austin during a special session, and numerous private planes soon flew in the direction of Washington. Their absence means that the two-thirds attendance quota required for voting cannot be met.
The fight for new electoral restrictions in the state is thus entering its second round. As early as the end of May, Democratic MPs left a session of the House of Representatives, thus preventing the regular vote, which is why Republican Governor Greg Abbott had called the special session. As a punishment for the blockade, the governor wants to suspend payments for around 2000 Capitol employees from September, unless the law has been passed by then.
The controversial electoral reform is primarily about the abolition of programs that were set up during the pandemic, such as drive-in and 24-hour polling stations.
Suffrage experts noted that these programs were mostly used by black voters.
The Republican Party has been pushing reforms since ex-President Trump's election fraud lie and has already been successful in several states - only in Texas do the Democrats resist so persistently.
The fight for the right to vote is fierce in the United States
Since the House's rules would allow the renegade MPs to return, their contacts did not provide any information about their stay. The MPs are ready to stay away for several weeks. The governor condemned their behavior and accused them of abandoning their voters and their state. Meanwhile, it is questionable whether the Democrats' strategy will be successful: Abbott can convene special sessions until the law is passed. Mid-term elections will also take place in May 2022, in which the Democrats should expect difficulties.
Access to elections remains a big issue in the US.
Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the government would spend $ 25 million to ensure access to the May midterm elections.
A planned electoral reform of the Democrats, which should make voting easier, failed a few weeks ago due to the Republicans in the Senate.
The proposed law in Texas condemned President Biden as "discriminatory."
nek / AP