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Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with The Texas Tribune. She has covered a range of topics as a community journalist including local government, public safety, immigration and social issues. Natalia previously reported for the Austin American-Statesman, focusing on impacts of government policies on communities of color. Natalia previously worked at the Indianapolis Star, where she helped launch the first Spanish-language newsletter, and at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. She was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas in Mexico and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is based in Corpus Christi.
Under state Sen. Paul Bettencourt’s bill, some individuals could submit requests for explanations of ‘election irregularities’ and potentially bring them to the Texas Secretary of State. Full Story
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One bill has been filed so far, while a pair of lawsuits focus attention on the issue. Full Story
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Voting went well in the presidential election, but Trudy Hancock and her staff are still fielding questions. And the answers don’t seem to matter. Full Story
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A mostly quiet Election Day in Texas came after a series of pitched partisan battles over how elections should be conducted. Full Story
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By state law, Election Day totals must be submitted to the state within 24 hours after polls close. Meeting that deadline requires careful but quick work. Full Story
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Some people who filled out forms find out too late that they never made it onto the rolls. State lawmakers have resisted efforts to expand online options. Full Story
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The suspect was arrested for assaulting the elderly. The Bexar County sheriff said “nothing” is worth going to jail for. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott gave an inflated number of noncitizens removed from the state’s voter rolls, officials acknowledged, confirming findings by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Votebeat. Full Story
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Here’s what you need to know after a ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and Votebeat investigation found that Gov. Greg Abbott likely inflated the number of noncitizens on voter rolls. Full Story
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Texas Republicans passed the legislation known as Senate Bill 1 after former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and spread lies about it. Full Story
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