Austin, Texas – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), passed two major voter integrity bills, SB 1111 to stop the use of private P.O box as a registration address and SB 1589 to create educated DPS Election Marshalls for election disputes. These bills are a step in the right direction to ensuring a trusted election outcome, and a fair voter roll. These are the last of the "Integrity-7" bills to be passed by the full Senate.

"There are approx. 4,800 voters registered at private UPS store P.O. boxes in Houston and there is quite frankly no way anyone can fit into a 2x3 inch post office box!" said Senator Bettencourt "Senate Bill 1111 is about ensuring voters are registered to vote at a physical address where they live so elections are not unfairly impacted." he said. "We cant have impossible addresses on the voter roll." he emphasized.

"Election issues will be resolved quickly and efficiently by the Election Marshalls and Rocket Dockets to District Judges in SB1589. That’s what the public would expect during a election!" Bettencourt added.

These 2 bills would make the following changes to voter registration to further support an accurate voter roll in each prescient as well as ensuring a rapid and purposeful response to election complaints of all parties:

• SB 1111 would emphasize that a person would be prohibited from establishing a residence in a place that the person has not inhabited, i.e. a private P.O. box. If the registrar believe the voters address is incorrect, they will send a written confirmation request and the voter can provide proof of their residence.
• SB 1589 will require that the DPS provide election law educated law enforcement personnel to immediately address violations as they occur. Election Marshalls will be supported by Judges trained on election law issues to be available to hear complaints immediately.

"These 2 bills passing are the last of my "Integrity-7" bills moving to the House” said Senator Bettencourt. "Each one of these bills fix a voter integrity issue that will help restore trust in our Democracy and provide all Texans with the fairness and promptness the election process deserves!" concluded Bettencourt.

Co/joint-authors include Senators Brian Birdwell (R- Granbury), Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), Senator Bob Hall (R-Rockwall), Senator Bryan Hughes (R- Mineola) Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), Senator Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Senator Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) have signed onto one or both of these election integrity bills, to ensure a accurate voter roll and faster resolution of election disputes.

###