Texas voting law signed - Bitcoin legal tender - New Taliban government

The bill, SB 1, is closely aligned with the final version of SB 7, which the legislature failed to pass in May because [Democratic lawmakers walked out]. Abbott ultimately signed a version that does not include the most controversial provisions proposed: banning early voting on Sunday before 1 p.m. and lowering the standard for overturning election results.
...
In response to the pandemic, Harris County, which includes Houston, allowed people to participate in drive-thru voting, but SB 1 bans mass drive-thru voting. The bill targets another practice that Harris County used during the 2020 election: 24-hour voting. But the bill does expand some early voting hours.
...
There are new ID requirements for mail voting applications and returning a mail ballot. An application to vote by mail will need to be signed "using ink on paper." Electronic or photocopied signatures will be prohibited. The measure provides protections for poll watchers, including allowing them to sit or stand close enough "to see and hear" election workers.