How Texas’ SB 1 Reshaped Mail-In Voting
In 2021, Texas passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), introducing strict mail-in voting rules, including a requirement for voters to match their registration ID (driver’s license or Social Security number). Many voters couldn’t recall this detail, leading to a surge in rejected ballots—and long-term voter disengagement.
Key Restrictions Under SB 1
The law, framed as an anti-fraud measure, included:
– Strict ID Matching: Ballots were rejected if the submitted ID didn’t match registration records.
– Ban on Unsolicited Mail Ballots: Counties couldn’t send applications without a request.
– Harsh Penalties for Officials: Mistakes in assisting voters risked criminal charges.
Critics argued these rules disproportionately harmed elderly, disabled, and minority voters. Data soon proved them right.
Ballot Rejection Rates Soared
A Texas Civil Rights Project study found:
– 2020 Elections: ~1% of mail ballots rejected.
– 2022 Primaries (Post-SB 1): Over 12% rejection rates in some counties, with Harris County hitting 19%—a 1,600% increase.
Most rejections stemmed from ID mismatches, leaving voters unaware until their ballots were voided.
Lasting Effects on Voter Participation
The damage extended beyond one election:
1. 23% Drop in Future Voting: Rejected voters were far less likely to participate again.
2. Limited Shift to In-Person Voting: Only 20% of rejected voters switched to in-person ballots.
3. Marginalized Groups Hit Hardest: Latino and Black voters faced higher rejection rates, widening turnout gaps.
“This wasn’t just red tape—it was systemic exclusion,” said a voting rights advocate.
Legal Challenges & National Warnings
SB 1 faced lawsuits, including a DOJ challenge under the Civil Rights Act, citing discrimination against non-English speakers. While some provisions were blocked, core rules remain.
Broader Implications for 2024:
– Mail voting remains critical, but Texas’ data shows risks of strict ID laws.
– Rejections erode trust, with many voters feeling the system is stacked against them.
Calls for Reform
Advocates push for:
– Clearer Voter Education: Simplifying ID requirements.
– Legislative Changes: Repealing restrictive SB 1 provisions.
– Federal Action: The John Lewis Voting Rights Act could override such laws.
For now, Texas voters—especially seniors and minorities—face a system that values restrictions over access. As one voter lamented: “They didn’t reject my ballot. They silenced me.”
