Direct Action Texas - Page 2 of 45 - Fighting for election integrity and transparency

Voter Fraud Arrests Complicate Election Administration

Posted by Daniel Greer | September 29, 2019

The list of individuals implicated in a South Texas voter fraud scheme continues to grow. This week, Francisco Tamez, Jr. was arraigned for allegedly voting illegally in both the November 2017 and March 2018 elections.

Illegal voting is a second-degree felony and imperils those charged with up to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Tamez is charged along with others in illegal voting that resulted in Richard Molina becoming mayor of Edinburg. Molina and his wife were arrested and charged earlier this year in a far-reaching scheme that has resulted in the arrests of more than 20 individuals.

Stephanie Klick on Defense, Backpedaling

Posted by Daniel Greer | September 22, 2019

This week Representative Stephanie Klick emerged from her post-session hole to defend killing the most impactful election integrity bill considered by the legislature, SB9.

Klick’s defenses, months later and all weak, are unfortunately what Texans have come to expect from elected officials. Blame shifting, misdirection, and lying was front and center in the two speeches she delivered this week.

Her defense is setting off more bombs than it’s defusing.

How bad is it for Klick? One telltale indicator, she’s insisting that she not be filmed. One may wonder, why would Klick be skittish about being recorded?

Election Integrity Fact vs. Fiction

Posted by Direct Action Texas | September 19, 2019

Over three months after the end of the 86^thLegislative Session, myths and deceptive talking points still fill the narrative on the fate of election integrity. The truth is that Texas elections remain highly vulnerable and that the vast majority of legislation aimed at combating fraud failed to make it through the legislature.

Senate Bill 9

Senate Bill 9 (SB9) by Senator Bryan Hughes was the omnibus bill that was to carry many of the needed reforms to prevent and prosecute election fraud. It would have increased criminal penalties for election fraud as well as adding civil penalties. The bill increased restrictions on illegal assistance and added limitations on countywide polling. Election code language about poll watchers and signature verification committees would have been improved. Verification of election accuracy would have been enhanced with new criteria for automatic recounts and by implementing risk limiting audits. It closed loopholes in the registration process and eliminated barriers for interstate cross check. Finally, it would have required a paper trail for every cast ballot.

Direct Action Texas Joins Conservative Leaders Calling for Special Session

Posted by Direct Action Texas | September 15, 2019

This week, Direct Action Texas joined a dozen conservative groups calling on Governor Greg Abbott to call a special session of the Texas legislature. Actual deficiencies in public policy went unaddressed during the 2019 session, the immediate negative impacts will compound as the interim continues.

Groups represented on the letter cover important policy areas including 2nd Amendment rights, tax relief, pro-life, and election integrity among others. All of the signers are invested in seeing the commonsense platform of the Lone Star Agenda accomplished, now.

The letter comes at a time when Texas Republicans appear especially rudderless.

Beginning in November 2018, there has been a brute force effort to have Texas Republicans abandon the conservative principals that have made Texas the most prosperous state in the nation.

Hand-wringing Over Illegal Voting Conviction Part of Larger Agenda

Posted by Direct Action Texas | September 11, 2019

In the last 48 hours, multiple progressive websites have published articles defending illegal voting in Texas, specifically citing the case of convicted criminal Crystal Mason.

We’ll address the Mason case again shortly, first, let’s examine what might be precipitating the PR push.

In part, it’s timing as leftwing groups appeal the Mason conviction but it might also be needed to combat recent polling that shows 77% of Texas Democrats agree that ineligible voters should be prevented from voting.