Texas voter fraud bill would ban 'harvesting' of mail in ballots

Texas Tribune:
House Republicans on Thursday struck back at Democrats who in 2011 alleged there wasn’t a need for a state voter ID law because most of the fraud at the ballot box occurs on mail-in ballots.

The lower chamber tentatively approved a measure that would make it a Class A misdemeanor for someone to collect and deposit 10 or more mail-in ballots from other voters during an election. It does not apply to the collection of ballots cast by military service members, their spouses or dependents.

Republicans said that the measure, House Bill 148 by state Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, would prevent crimes by eliminating “ballot harvesting,” which proponents of the bill say lead to voter fraud and possible voter intimidation. The bill also prohibits a courier who collects such mail-in ballots from receiving compensation. The measure, which was supported with an 86-41 vote Thursday, is still subject to final approval by the House.

The measure drew contentious debate after Democrats said the measure would create confusion about who is eligible to collect ballots and what argument those people could offer in their defense if they were charged. The bill exempts caretakers in state-licensed care facilities, state-certified facilities and those acting within the scope of their normal day-to-day duties.
... 
Democrats object to this bill too fearing it will inconvenience their operatives.  I am not a big proponent of mail in ballots for those outside the military.  I think they are abused to take advantage of nursing home patients.  For those in nursing homes I would prefer to see someone acting in an official capacity supervise their voting to make sure it is voluntary.

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