Discussion 7 Review this data: https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB1/id/2424492 https

Discussion 7
Review this data: https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB1/id/2424492
https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-elections-texas-voting-only-on-ap-45ba51fe9dd951a0f82015bd6bd9ff41
On September 7, 2021, Governor Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill (S. B.) 1 into law. The new election law went into effect on December 2, 2021, and it is currently facing several legal challenges. The pending lawsuits claim that the law violates the U.S. Constitution, and federal laws, and suppresses voters. Many organizations such as Crip the Vote and Rev Up Texas have been critical of how the provisions in Texas S. B. 1 will impact Texans with disabilities. They believe that the new legislation will make it harder for people with disabilities to cast their ballots and create barriers to seeking assistance at polling locations. AP News (Links to an external site.) has stated that “Texas rejected about 13% of mail ballots, nearly 23,000 total, in the first election since the new voting law.”
Presentation Components: Requirements
Slide 1- Title: Your title should include your position on S. B. 1.
Slide 2- Overview: Write an overview of the problem. What important information should the Texas Legislature know about the impact of Texas S. B. 1 on Texans with disabilities? Why is the problem urgent? Detail why you are for or against changes in Texas S. B. 1. 2-3 bullet points
Slide 3- Background: What will happen if Texans with disabilities cannot participate in a fair and accessible election process? How will limiting their access infringe on their civil rights? What are the larger implications of the problem? Who does the problem impact? How are they impacted? Is there an additional cost to vote (transportation/access)? Will vote under Texas S. B. 1 impact their health? Why is the current approach not working? Do not forget to include your data and quotes. 3-4 bullet points
Slide 4- Voting Rights Act (1965): Does Texas S. B. 1 violate the Voting Rights Act (1965)? If so, how? If not, why? What has been the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on Texas? Are voter intimidation and voter suppression real issues in Texas? Or, is it just poor planning on the side of county election officials? 2-3 bullet points
Slide 5- Shelby County v Holder: Does the Shelby County v Holder ruling impact Texans with disabilities? Explain. Do you agree with the Shelby County v Holder ruling, is “racial and discriminatory voter suppression over”? Does Texas make it difficult for individuals to register to vote and/or cast ballots? Describe what it means to have equity v. equality in the Texas election system. 2-3 bullet points
Slide 6- Recommendations: What do you recommend the Texas Legislature do to better assist Texans with disabilities? If you feel that Texas S. B. 1 already accommodates Texans with disabilities, then you may want to create a marketing strategy to inform the public of its benefits. Why is your recommendation the best option? Who will support your recommendation? Who will be against it? What accommodations are needed for Texas S. B. 1 or future election legislation? Note: Recommendations should be based on evidence that the problem exists and that the consequences (good or bad) of not accepting your recommendation will negatively impact Texans with disabilities. Use data and quotes to back up your recommendations. 2-3 bullet points
Slide 7- Implementation: How should your recommendations be implemented? Who needs to be involved? How will you inform the public? When and where should action take place? Will your recommendation increase the election budget? Will it require input from Texans with disabilities? How will you address the needs of Texans with visible and non-visible disabilities? 2-3 bullet points
Slide 8- Conclusion: Why should the Texas Legislature care about this issue? What is the goal of your policy recommendations? What will happen if the decision-makers do not implement your recommendations? What are the best strategies to manage the accessibility of future elections in Texas? Remind the Texas Legislature of the urgency of your recommendations and implementation plan. What is your call to action? 4-5 bullet points
Slide 9- 2 Citations