This Wednesday, March 17, 2021 file photo shows Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaking at a Dallas news conference on detentions of migrant children. Associated Press/LM Otero
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1 last month. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1 controversially.
The penalty for illegally voting was reduced from a 2nd-degree felony to a class A misdemeanor by the bill.
Abbott said Thursday that he would increase the penalty.
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Texas Governor. The Texas Tribune reported that Greg Abbott called for tougher punishments for illegal voting less than a month following the signing of a bill to lower the penalty.
On Thursday, Abbott stated that he had sent a message to Secretary of the Senate requesting an increase in the penalty for illegally voting after it was reduced by Senate Bill 1.
Abbott stated in a press release that "The State of Texas made remarkable progress in protecting the integrity of our election." We will send a clearer message to Texas voters that voter fraud will not go unpunished by increasing penalties for illegal votes.
Abbott signed the controversial voting legislation in September 7. On September 7, Abbott signed the controversial voting legislation. The bill extended early voting hours for most people, and established new rules regarding absentee voting. The penalty for illegally voting was also reduced from a second-degree felony to a class A crime.
According to Texas' penal code, a second-degree felony can be punished with up to 20 years imprisonment, and a class A misdemeanor can result in a year in prison or a fine.
Lt. Governor. Dan Patrick stated that the State Senate would pass a bill to increase the penalty next week. Patrick stated that the House amended the bill to include a reduced penalty at "last minute". It "went under radar" until Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton discovered it and "agreed then it must corrected."
The Tribune reported that State Rep. Steve Allison (a Republican) made the amendment and that it was passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Secretary of State's Office assured lawmakers that voting in the state is "smooth" and secure, but GOP leaders have called for tougher penalties for illegally voting, according to the Tribune.
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At the request of Donald Trump, Abbott also requested an election audit for the 2020 presidential election.
Fox News' Chris Wallace interviewed Abbott about his defense of the decision to audit four counties in the state, despite Trump's victory by 600,000.
Abbott's office didn't respond to an email asking for comment at the time this article was published.
Business Insider has the original article.
