Updated Jul 11, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Restrictive GOP voting bill advances in Texas House and Senate

A meeting of the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs — The Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs met Saturday about the GOP-backed voting bill. Photo: Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images

A panel of Texas state senators voted Sunday to advance to the floor a Republican-backed voting bill in the state Legislature that includes extensive new restrictions, following a similar motion in the state House earlier in the morning, the Texas Tribune reports.

Catch up quick: The votes come after the state House and Senate hosted extensive public hearings on Saturday that stretched into Sunday's early morning hours.

State of play: State Republicans both chambers introduced bills that would ban drive-through and 24-hour voting options and enhance access for partisan poll watchers, among other provisions.

The special session — convened by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) — comes weeks after Texas Democrats staged a walkout to block the voting bill from passing.

The big picture: The GOP push for restrictive voting laws in Texas comes as several other states, such as Georgia and Florida, have already enacted similar legislation.

Go deeper: Texas legislature convenes for special session on voting rights

Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of the committees advancing the legislation.

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Restrictive GOP voting bill advances in Texas House and Senate

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