House passes bill to eliminate straight-ticket voting option in Texas

The House on Saturday passed a bill that would eliminate an option at the ballot box to vote straight ticket along party lines.

The House debated House Bill 25, filed by Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, for about two hours on Friday night and on Saturday, the chamber passed it 88 to 57, with most Republicans supporting it and most Democrats opposing.

Democrats sparred with Simmons, saying that his bill would disenfranchise elderly and minority voters and voters with disabilities.

“Voters ought to be well aware of the people who said to them, ‘We want to eliminate your options as a voter. We want to take away something from you as a voter, the same something that got most of the people here in the House,’” said Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/house-passes-bill-eliminate-straight-ticket-voting-option-texas/0ddRoACMfWgnFHlZS1SVDN/