AUSTIN, TX – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Thursday ending straight-party voting. HB25 eliminates the option of checking one box casting a vote for every candidate in a single party on the ballot beginning in 2020.
According to the Texas Tribune, straight-party voting is not available in most states, but accounted for almost 64 percent of total votes cast in the largest 10 counties in Texas in the 2016 general election.
The bill by State Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, drew strong opposition from Democrats during the legislative session. Opponents say the measure will disproportionally impact minority voters. Supporters maintain it will force voters to make more informed decisions in individual elections.
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