American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, and Dell Technologies, based in Round Rock, were the first to criticize recent attempts to change Texas’s electoral law. Cooper Neill / AFP via Getty Images Hide caption
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Cooper Neill / AFP via Getty Images
American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, and Dell Technologies, based in Round Rock, were the first to criticize recent attempts to change Texas’s electoral law.
Cooper Neill / AFP via Getty Images
Large companies with offices in Texas are opposed to new legislative proposals in the state that would restrict expanded access to voters.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Round Rock-based Dell Technologies were the first to criticize recent attempts to change state election laws.
Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, announced the rejection of his company House bill 6that the legislature still approves. Among other things, the bill is intended to prohibit local election officials from sending postal votes.
In a tweet on Thursday, Dell said: “Free, fair and equitable access to voting is the foundation of American democracy. These rights – especially for women, color communities – have been hard earned.”
Agree. Free, fair and equitable access to elections is the foundation of American democracy. These rights – especially for women, color communities – were hard earned. Governments should make sure that citizens hear their voices. HB6 does the opposite and we are against it. https://t.co/srLRfGxgZF
– Michael Dell (@MichaelDell) April 1, 2021
American Airlines is having problems with Senate Act 7This would severely limit local efforts to facilitate coordination. The Senate approved the bill early on Thursday morning.
In his testimony, American wrote: “We strongly oppose this bill and others who like it. As a Texas-based company, we must stand up for the rights of our team members and customers who call Texas home and honor the sacrifices that generations of Americans have made to protect have and expand the right to vote. “
The new proposals are part of a wider Republican effort to further restrict mail-in and early voting in a direct answer a high turnout in November, which contributed to the Democrats’ success at the ballot box.
Texas Democrats and proxies have raised concerns that certain bills would make elections difficult to conduct as they feared civil servants could be prosecuted for possible mistakes. They also fear that these bills could make it difficult for marginalized communities, especially blacks and Latinos, to vote.
Dan Patrick, Lt. Texas governor issued a blister answer to the comments of the airlines Thursday
“Texans are fed up with companies that don’t share our values and try to dictate public order. The majority of Texans support maintaining the integrity of our elections, which is why I’ve made it a priority this legislature.”
Patrick said SB 7 would lead to safer elections, alluding to unsubstantiated claims that the November elections are somehow unsafe. In November after the presidential election Patrick offered $ 1 million in defense of unsupported claims made by former President Donald Trump about irregularities in the US presidential election. The money was to be used for information about electoral fraud.
The proposed Texas laws and subsequent corporate backlash reflect a similar struggle for electoral access in Georgia. Late last month, that state approved a major overhaul of the elections, some of which would restrict mail-in and weekend voting, while expanding some voters’ access to personal early voting.
Dozens of other states are considering Changes in local electoral laws. The Brennan Center, a nonprofit that enforces electoral law, said 43 states are considering 253 bills that would, among other things, reduce the number of early election days or restrict access to voting by mail.
However, other companies speak out against these efforts to change the politics of the state elections.
Southwest Airlines and AT&T broadly criticized efforts to change state election laws Thursday following the Texas Senate’s SB7 approval.
Southwest Airlines said Thursday“The right to vote is a prerequisite for our democracy and a right desired by everyone. We believe that every voter should have a fair opportunity to have his or her voice heard.”
AT&T said it would partner with the Business Roundtable, a nonprofit made up of CEOs of major US corporations, “to support efforts to improve everyone’s electoral ability.”
“We understand that electoral laws are complicated, not our company’s expertise and ultimately the responsibility of elected officials,” the statement said. “But as a company, we have a responsibility to get involved.”
