Abbot’s new rule will suppress votes by adding barriers to residents’ ability to vote by mail
Houston, TX – On Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a new rule restricting the number of drop-off locations for mail-in ballots to one per county. The rule, which is set to take effect today, would severely limit voters’ ability to personally deliver their ballots, especially in some of the state’s largest counties. Older voters and voters with disabilities will be particularly impacted by the rule, as eligibility for mail-in voting in Texas is restricted to those 65 and older or people who have cited having a disability.
Today, voters, along with the Texas and National Leagues of United Latin American Citizens and the League of Women Voters of Texas, filed a lawsuit to overturn Gov. Abbott’s rule.
Norma Gonzalez, Texas Civic Engagement Coordinator of United We Dream Action, said:
“In the midst of a global pandemic that has killed over 16,000 Texans and disproportionately impacted people of color and low-income communities, Governor Abbott is more concerned with suppressing Texas voters than with protecting us. Contrary to what Gov. Abbott claims, mail-in voting is secure. There is no evidence to the contrary. Gov. Abbott’s new rule will prevent thousands of voters from casting their ballots.
The rule will inevitably have severe consequences on mail-in voters living in Texas’ largest counties. Where I live in Harris County, over 207,000 mail ballots have been requested. Harris County has the highest population of any other Texas county. Instead of being able to go to any of the county’s original 12 drop-off sites, residents voting by mail will likely have to drive upwards of 30 miles to the one remaining site if they want to personally deliver their ballot. People are fighting back in court, and we at UWDA are working hard to reach out to voters so as many as people as possible know their options.”