Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants fourth special session for election audit, higher penalties for illegal voting

Austin News Briefs - Austin American Statesman

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wants Governor Greg Abbott to call lawmakers back to Austin for a fourth special legislative session, this time to tackle two election-related measures that did not pass during previous sessions this year. The third special session ended Tuesday, with most of Abbott's agenda items adopted. Patrick called it a "strong conservative session" in a Wednesday tweet, but he said lawmakers need another opportunity to pass a bill increasing penalties for illegal voting and legislation authorizing a forensic election audit — a priority of former President Donald Trump.