Why Did Texas Democrats Flee the State? And What Does It Mean?

The Democratic legislators who fled to Washington to thwart the passage of a restrictive voting measure cannot be legally forced to return from out of state.

SAN ANTONIO — When Texas Democrats walked out of the Statehouse in late May, denying Republicans a quorum and thwarting passage of a restrictive voting measure, it was a dramatic political move not seen in nearly two decades. They did it again this week, this time fleeing the state for Washington shortly after a 30-day special session to secure passage of the bill commenced. The bill includes restrictions on absentee voting and bans 24-hour and drive-through voting, which drew millions of voters in Democratic strongholds across the state in November. Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed that the Democrats who absconded will face reprimands, telling Fox News, “Once they step back into the state, they will be arrested and brought back to the Capitol and we will be conducting business.”