Texas Voting Bills Spark Outcry from Civil Rights Advocates

June 24, 2025 — Austin, TX

Two newly signed Texas Senate bills—SB 12 and SB 37—are drawing sharp criticism from civil rights groups and voting rights advocates across the country, including the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), which condemned the legislation as a dangerous step backward for democracy and equal access to the ballot.

Signed into law on June 20, SB 12 and SB 37 introduce stricter regulations that critics say will disproportionately impact Black voters and other marginalized communities. While the bills are framed by supporters as measures to strengthen election integrity and streamline the voter roll process, opponents argue they are part of a broader effort to suppress the vote.

What the Bills Do

SB 12 allows Texas officials to pursue criminal investigations into election workers and poll volunteers for what it calls "procedural violations," even in the absence of fraud. Critics say this could create a chilling effect among volunteers and local election administrators, particularly in counties with large Black and Latino populations.

SB 37 mandates new processes for removing voters from registration rolls if they are flagged by state databases as potentially ineligible. Voting rights groups argue that the criteria for removal are vague and error-prone, potentially leading to wrongful disenfranchisement.

Civil Rights Groups Respond

The Legal Defense Fund called the legislation “an assault on Black political power,” noting that the bills follow a troubling national trend of voter suppression laws disproportionately affecting communities of color.

“These bills target the very individuals and communities who have historically faced barriers to voting—and who continue to demand fair access to the ballot box,” said Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the LDF. “Rather than protecting democracy, SB 12 and SB 37 undermine it.”

The Texas NAACP, along with local advocacy groups, has announced plans to challenge the laws in court. “These bills are anti-democratic, plain and simple,” said Dr. Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP. “Our communities won’t be silent while our rights are rolled back.”

Political Divide

Governor Greg Abbott, who signed the bills into law, insists they are necessary to “restore trust in the election process.” Republican lawmakers argue that the measures enhance transparency and accountability.

But Democratic lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and local officials see them as a politically motivated attack on voter access in Democratic-leaning counties, especially those with large Black and Hispanic populations.

National Implications

Texas is one of several states that have passed voting-related legislation since the 2020 presidential election, when false claims of widespread voter fraud fueled a wave of restrictive voting laws. The LDF and other national groups warn that Texas could serve as a model for other states looking to introduce similar policies.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, civil rights organizations are mobilizing legal teams, voter education campaigns, and grassroots coalitions to counteract what they see as voter suppression in action.

“We’ve fought too long and too hard for the right to vote,” said Nelson. “We won’t let Texas—or any other state—turn back the clock.”

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The Black Insider will continue to follow this developing story. For resources on voter registration and legal support, visit vote.org or naacp.org.