Judge Robert Pitman agreed, writing, “Elderly and disabled voters living in Texas’ largest and most populous counties will have to go to more crowded ballot return centers, limiting polling return centers to increase their risk. To exercise their right to vote and count.” Infected with coronavirus. “
“Honestly, we should all be shocked that such a ruling is needed,” Texas Democratic Party President Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement.
CNN reached out to Abbott’s office fee on Friday for comment.
Prior to the start of early voting on Oct. 13 in Texas, the directive required large counties, regardless of population and region, to limit their drop-locations to locations for the mail-in ballot. Republican Ab Bote argued that the directive was necessary to ensure that Drop B Secure X remained safe. But the judge said the risk of allowing voters to vote was heightened by concerns.
The judge was also upset by Abbott’s late policy change and felt he needed to rule immediately.
Pitman wrote that the continued implementation of the declaration by Texas does not serve the public interest as the plaintiffs have violated their fundamental right to vote.
Due to the coronavirus epidemic and concerns of some voters about individual voting, requests for absentee and mail-in ballots have increased in the U.S.
In Texas, Republicans in the state have successfully blocked Democrats’ efforts to expand mail-in voting, citing voter fraud. While mail-in ballots are rare cases of voter fraud, they are nowhere near a pervasive problem in the U.S. electoral system.
Announcing the move last week, Abbott said in his statement that cutting off drop locations would “maintain the integrity of our elections.”
“As we work to maintain Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 epidemic, we must take extra care to strengthen statewide ballot security protocols. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and help prevent illegal voting attempts.” Abbott said on October 1st.
“Do not present sufficiently consistent and legitimate interests in light of the burden it imposes on the plaintiff,” Pitman wrote, referring to the state’s justices. Voting rights groups have pointed out that the order “probably violates their fundamental right to vote.” Under the Fourteenth Amendment. “
Pitman also wrote that because of this directive, “absentee voters should choose to risk coronavirus if the USPS is unable to deliver their ballots on time.”
Prior to Abbott’s order, several counties had begun rolling out multiple absentee polling drop-locations. Harris County, the state’s most populous county and Democratic holder, was to reduce its 12 drop-locations f locations by Oct. 2. More than 40% of Harris County residents are Latino and about 20% are black.
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said in a statement that the decision was a “victory for the right to vote.” He said Harris County will open its 11 satellite drop-off locations on Monday, when early voting will begin.
“The governor’s repressive tactics should not be tolerated, and tonight’s ruling shows that the law is on the side of the Texas electorate,” Hollins told CNN. “These drop-locations are needed to ensure that senior and disabled voters in Harris County deliver their mail ballots safely and conveniently during a global epidemic. We should not play politics with the lives of voters.”
Texas has traditionally been Republican for the past few decades, but Democrats believe it will be implemented in the November election. Multiple polls have seen a tight race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President B Biden in Star State.
This story has been further updated with judgment, feedback and background information.
The report is contributed by CNN’s Chandlis Duster.
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