AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers are back at work and so is the battle over the state’s voting laws. Gov. Greg Abbott revived the GOP’s thwarted efforts to pass new voting restrictions and voting rights groups aren’t taking it lying down. They’ve nicknamed this “The Suppression Session.” Frederick Haynes is part of the fight against this legislation. He’s the senior pastor at Friendship West Baptist church in Dallas.

“As long as you’re wealthier, whiter, abler, then you can vote but if you’re a person of color, if you’re poor, disabled, differently abled, they don’t want you voting and for me, that’s anti-democracy,” said Haynes.

One of the most contentious parts of the bill was taken out of the newly introduced legislation. It would have changed early voting hours on Sundays which was a move some Black church goers say aimed to disenfranchise them. The author of the bill, Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler, says voting on Sundays has always been an afternoon activity.

“That’s why we didn’t think much about that change, but to make sure there’s no question, there will be no limitation at all in this bill. So SB 1, which I filed, says six hours of voting anytime between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.,” said Hughes.

Counties would be able to choose their own polling hours under this bill, but that’s still not sitting well with Haynes.

“We know that’s a joke, they got caught with their pants down and so now they’re trying to pull their pants up,” said Haynes.

Still, Hughes maintains it’s about ensuring elections are secure.

“Most of the provisions in the bill are not aimed at voters who are trying to cheat, they’re aimed at vote harvesters, or people who are trying to influence voters, trying to coerce voters, trying to steal their votes,” said Hughes.

People across the country are watching what Texas does with this bill as several states are considering their own elections bills.

“Many people from around the country are descending on Austin even as we speak because they recognize as Texas goes, so goes the nation and we don’t want it to go in the wrong direction,” said Haynes.