In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has signed the new voting integrity law. That’s the law the Democrats delayed by walking out en masse earlier this year. But during the walkout, Republicans agreed to a few changes, and that was enough to lure back the necessary number of Democrats for a quorum.

Among the Republican concessions: poll watchers will have to be trained, so they know what they’re doing; the original restrictions on Sunday voting hours will be lifted so that Black churches can continue “Souls to the Polls” voting after church; and judges will need clear proof of fraud in order to overturn an election.

The new law still bans 24-hour voting, drive-through voting, and paid ballot harvesting.

But there’s good news about this whole voting debate. It’s helped a lot of people – even outside Texas – realize that you can lose your fundamental rights if you take them for granted.

So don’t take them for granted! For Texans, that means knowing what the rules are and making plans now. Get your ID in order NOW. If you can’t get to a polling place, arrange for a friend to help you NOW. If you don’t have friends who can do that, start making friends NOW!

Even here in Washington, where it’s easy to vote, make sure your correct address is on file if you moved recently. Do that NOW! If your signature was rejected last time or you never got a ballot, find out why and fix it NOW!

One more point: I’m glad Texas has finally settled the voter integrity issue to the satisfaction of conservatives, because that means one less state whining about voter fraud. Also, if it turns out that there IS some pushback at the polls to that abortion bounty law, we’ll know it was real.

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