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Hughes, Senate Committee Urge Paper Ballots

A Texas State Senator wants to make elections in the state a little more old-school. 

Republican Bryan Hughes (R-1st) chairs the Texas Senate Select Committee on Election Security. On Wednesday, that committee released a 17-page report that zeroes in mainly on the integrity of electronic voting machines and cybersecurity. Among its recommendations – that all electronic voting machines in Texas produce a paper ballot for voters to inspect before submitting their votes.

The report stems from an urging by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick following accusations of mail-in ballot fraud in Gregg County in 2017. But the report issued by the election security committee barely addresses mail ballots and makes no recommendations how to address potential security problems with them.

The report does, however, suggest Texas develop a penalty for the state’s Electoral College delegates who do not vote for their own party. Texas is one of five state without such a penalty.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.