AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Texas Senate Republican Bryan Hughes introduced SB 6 – legislation that would change the requirements for trial in the contest of constitutional amendment election results. This bill arose after a series of lawsuits were filed to overturn the results from the November 7th Local & Constitutional Amendment elections by MAGA extremists. The lawsuits are based on a series of false claims ranging from the certification of Texas Secretary of State-sponsored voting machines to accusing voting machines of being connected to the internet. 

Greg Abbott neglected to certify the election results of November 7th – jeopardizing the fate of nearly half a million retired teachers’ COLA adjustment and property tax code relief for Texans in limbo despite voters approving the amendments with an overwhelming majority.

To try and save face for the Republican Party of Texas, Sen. Bryan Hughes rammed SB 6 through the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee today without allowing time for public comment or testimony – setting a dangerous precedent to changes to our state’s election code. Just moments later, Dan Patrick voted the bill out of the entire Senate. 

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Voters made their voices loud and clear when declaring their support for a COLA for retired teachers and property tax relief in last month’s election – and Greg Abbott thought skydiving was more important than certifying these election results. Between Greg Abbott’s negligence and Sen. Hughes' successful attempt to rush changes to our election code – Texas Republicans have made it clear that they are an active threat to democracy and to the well-being of Texans by refusing to certify election results. And while Greg Abbott plans his next extravagant, tax-payer funded photo-op – Texas Democrats are focused on building upon our already-stacked 2024 coordinated campaign to elect more pro-democracy Democrats up and down the ballot.” 

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