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1/ In Texas, Republicans are fighting an expansion in voting by mail.
They’re also urging their voters to use that option. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
They’re also urging their voters to use that option. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
2/ Harris County officials announced plans to send applications to vote by mail to its more than 2 million registered voters.
Then the state and the county’s Republican party sued to halt those plans.
Read more about that lawsuit here. https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1301578713335836673
Then the state and the county’s Republican party sued to halt those plans.
Read more about that lawsuit here. https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1301578713335836673
3/ It’s created a blur of cognitive dissonance.
Local officials are being reprimanded by Republicans for attempting to proactively send applications for mail-in ballots, while the people doing the scolding are still urging their voters to fill them out. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
Local officials are being reprimanded by Republicans for attempting to proactively send applications for mail-in ballots, while the people doing the scolding are still urging their voters to fill them out. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
4/ Texas is in the small minority of states requiring voters who want to cast their ballots by mail to present an excuse beyond the risk of contracting the coronavirus at polling places. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
5/ That’s left in place automatic eligibility for vote by mail for Texans who are 65 and older — a group of voters who are much more likely to be white and make up part of the Texas GOP’s base. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
6/ Other voters qualify if they’ll be out of the county they’re registered in during the election period, if they’re confined in jail but otherwise still eligible or if they cite a disability or illness. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
7/ While a lack of immunity to COVID-19 alone does not allow a voter to request a ballot based on disability, the Texas Supreme Court ruled it was up to voters to decide if that lack of immunity combined with their own medical history allowed them to meet the criteria.
8/ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick characterized efforts to expand mail-in voting as a “scam by Democrats” that would lead to “the end of America.”
President Donald Trump has pushed concerns of widespread fraud — which are unsubstantiated — in mail-in ballots. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
President Donald Trump has pushed concerns of widespread fraud — which are unsubstantiated — in mail-in ballots. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
9/ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quoted a local prosecutor saying voting by mail "invites fraud."
But then fighting in court against Harris County’s plan, Paxton’s office argued "voting by mail is a cumbersome process with many steps to limit fraud." https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
But then fighting in court against Harris County’s plan, Paxton’s office argued "voting by mail is a cumbersome process with many steps to limit fraud." https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
10/ Meanwhile, the Texas GOP sent out applications with mailers urging voters to make a plan to request their mail-in ballots. https://bit.ly/32XZZTL
