Federal judge hands Texas’ elections overhaul a partial defeat days ahead of 2022′s first primary over rules that criminalize encouraging voters to get a ballot by mail.
Texas has some of the nation’s most restrictive rules surrounding vote-by-mail, generally making it only available to voters who are at least 65 years old or have an illness or disability. Under the new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in September, an elections official who solicits mail-in ballot applications from voters could face felony charges punishable by six months in jail.who have described feeling hamstrung to help Houston voters navigate the new law.
“Public officials should be able to recommend that option for folks who are eligible to vote by mail,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said. He criticized the new Texas law as “keeping these voters in the dark and discouraging them from voting by mail.” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The new Texas law also bans 24-hour polling places, drive-thru voting and empowers partisan poll watchers.
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