Take Action Now! Voting Rights Under Fire in the Special Session


Protect Voting Rights For All!

The Special Session in the Texas Legislature begins on July 8! AST expects that there will be voting bills that have the potential to negatively impact current disability voting rights. Thankfully the discriminatory bill that was proposed (SB 7) in the Regular Legislative Session did not pass. However, advocates expect that bill to be the foundation for the next proposed legislation during this special session.

More people with disabilities voted in the November 2020 election than ever before. The recently proposed voting laws will have unintended and negative effects on the  disability community’s ability to participate in the electoral process. The disability community should not have to provide extra documentation of health status, or be scrutinized and intimidated if needing assistance, or have to overcome any additional barriers in order to exercise their right to vote.

We need legislation that strengthens elections and does not inhibit the vote of people with disabilities and others who have been marginalized in the past.

Action-Who to Contact: 

Contact your own Texas State Senator and Representative, as well as Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dade Phelan. 

Governor Greg Abbott: (512) 463-1762 or greg.abbott@gov.texas.gov

Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick: (512) 463-0001 or dan.patrick@ltgov.state.tx.us

Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan: (512) 463-0706 or dade.phelan@house.texas.gov

Find your own Texas Senator and House Representative here: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home 

What to say:

“Don’t inhibit the vote of people with disabilities! Protect disability voting rights!” 

Let them know your concerns about potential new election legislation and that it is critical not to inhibit the right of people with disabilities to vote.

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Please note!  You will not be calling your federal representative or senator. (Do not call your U.S. Representative/Congressperson or U.S. Senator).

Let us know if you were successful or if AST Advocacy staff need to do any follow-ups at 512-479-4199 Ext. 10 or advocacy@texasautismsociety.org.