Gov. Greg Abbott
October 1, 2020

Governor Abbott Issues Proclamation Enhancing Ballot Security

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation enhancing ballot security protocols for the in-person delivery of marked mail ballots for the November 3rd Election. Under this proclamation, beginning on October 2, 2020, mail ballots that are delivered in person by voters who are eligible to vote by mail must be delivered to a single early voting clerk’s office location as publicly designated by a county’s early voting clerk. The proclamation also requires early voting clerks to allow poll watchers to observe any activity conducted at the early voting clerk’s office location related to the in-person delivery of a marked mail ballot. This proclamation amends a July 27th proclamation that extended the period in which marked mail-in ballots may be delivered in person.

"The State of Texas has a duty to voters to maintain the integrity of our elections," said Governor Abbott. "As we work to preserve Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting."

Proclamation
ACLU of Texas
MEDIA CONTACT
Armand Viscarri, ACLU of Texas
October 1, 2020

ACLU OF TEXAS RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT’S PROCLAMATION TO LIMIT MAIL BALLOT DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

HOUSTON – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation limiting the locations where voters can submit mail-in ballots. Counties in Texas will only be allowed to designate one location for mail ballots.

Sarah Labowitz, policy & advocacy director for the ACLU of Texas, had the following reaction:

“We are dismayed that the governor of Texas decided to curtail the ability of Texans to cast their ballots safely in the middle of a pandemic by limiting the number of drop-off sites per county. While the governor asserts that he is attempting to ‘strengthen ballot security,’ we see this as yet another thinly disguised attempt to stymie the vote. As is well documented, Texas has a voter suppression problem, not a ballot security problem. The governor should work with counties to ensure that all timely mailed ballots are received and counted, and that all voters appearing at polling places to submit ballots or vote are free from harassment.”
Texas Democratic Party
October 1, 2020

Texas Democratic Party on Governor Abbott’s Blatant Voter Suppression Tactic to Cut the Drop Off Points for Mail in Ballot Returns

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Republicans are on the verge of losing, so Governor Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute. Courts all over the country, including the Fifth Circuit yesterday, have held that it is too late to change election rules, but our failed Republican leadership will try anyway. Make no mistake, Democracy itself is on the ballot. Every Texan must get out and vote these cowards out!

“Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans are scared. We are creating a movement that will beat them at the ballot box on November 3, and there’s nothing these cheaters can do about it.”

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LULAC
October 3, 2020

LULAC Files Lawsuit To Stop Texas Governor Voting Rules Changes

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Republican Leader Is Trying to Suppress State’s Historic Hispanic Vote

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) says it has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott for ordering the removal of all but one drop-off location per county statewide for mail-in ballots.

Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
“Governor Abbott's Executive Order to limit drop box locations reeks of the continued voter suppression and rigging of voter turnout by Republicans against all Texans in a pandemic. It is disgraceful, unlawful and the worst type of third world politics or something that you would expect in a country like Russia or China, not Texas or the United States. Today, LULAC announces that once again we are suing the Governor and the Republican establishment to protect the rights of every Texan to vote. Every fair-minded American who respects the Constitution should honor the right of all citizens to have their voice heard. Shame on Texas if it stands by and allows this to happen.”

Luis Roberto Vera, Jr. - General Counsel, League of United Latin American Citizens
“The rule right now allows a person to fill out his or her ballot and mail it in, drop it off at an early-polling site or at the Election Administrator’s office. You can also take it on November 3rd to the poll location. That’s the rule. He wants to change that and plain and simple, it’s another form of voter suppression. Saying no, you have to mail it in. He knows all the problems with the mail right now and the fact they cut back on the postal service machinery. Still, Governor Abbott is trying to force everybody to mail in their ballot knowing that there will be votes lost. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that you cannot change the rules at the last minute. What Governor Abbott did is disgraceful.”
Oct. 9, 2020 - U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman's ruling in LULAC et al. v Abbott et al.
Texas Democratic Party
October 10, 2020

Federal Judge Stops Abbott’s Unlawful Attempt to Suppress Texas Voters

Austin, TX — Tonight, a federal judge stopped Governor Greg Abbott’s unlawful attempt to suppress Texas voters by cutting mail-in hand delivery locations.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Governor Abbott’s attempt to suppress Texas voters has been thwarted. Judge Pitman’s common sense order followed well-established law and stopped the governor from making up election rules after the election started. Frankly, it ought to be a shock to all of us that such a ruling is even required.

“This important ruling stands up not just for voters but for the Rule of Law. This isn’t the first time Abbott and Texas Republicans have tried to suppress the vote, and it won’t be the last. The only way to stop these voter suppression attempts is to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot in November.”

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Oct. 12, 2020 - U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in LULAC et al. v. Hughs, TX SOS
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
October 13, 2020

AG Pax­ton: Fifth Cir­cuit Grants Stay Halt­ing Dis­trict Court Order, Secures Bal­lot Hand-Deliv­ery Locations

Attorney General Ken Paxton gave this statement after the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay, blocking a district court order that purported to override Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation regarding mail-in ballot drop-off locations:

“I commend the Fifth Circuit for staying this unlawful injunction and continuing to protect the integrity of Texas elections. My office will continue to defend the security of our democratic process and combat voter fraud.”
LULAC
October 13, 2020

Federal Appeals Court Blocks LULAC In Texas Voter Suppression Case

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Moves Swiftly to Issue Decision on Eve of Early Voting

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said Monday that the decision late today by the appeals panel removes the earlier injunction by United States Federal Court Judge Robert J. Pittman and allows Texas to have just one drop-off location per county for absentee ballots.

“This is clearly a setback for Texas voters,” says Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. “The ruling should send a strong message that voter suppression is allowed even when it threatens all Texans and our nation’s democracy. It is offensive to every reasonable American to allow a politician the power to stifle lawful votes and essentially rig the outcome to an election, especially during a pandemic. LULAC is prepared to fight this as far as we have to and make sure each of our voices is heard and every vote is counted,” he added.

Governor Abbott argued Texas cannot control security at remote absentee ballot drop-off sites and warned this would lead to voter fraud although he has been unable to provide evidence supporting his claims. Early voting starts Tuesday, October 13 and record levels of mail-in and absentee ballots are predicted from voters anxious to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 if they vote in person.

“LULAC is fighting to protect the right of every voter in this critical election while State Attorney General Ken Paxton is doing everything he can to deny Texans that opportunity,” says Luis Roberto Vera, Jr., General Counsel for the League of United Latin American Citizens. “Abbott and Paxton are rushing ahead at all costs because they know 5.6 million Hispanic votes are on the line. Our legal coalition is weighing the options including asking for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court,” adds Vera.

A new poll from the University of Houston and UNIVISION forecasts more than 90% of Hispanic voters in Texas are likely to vote in this election. “LULAC is non-partisan and what is important to us is transparency and integrity in the voting process,” says Linda Chavez, LULAC National Board Member and Vice-President for the Southwest. “Seventy-nine percent of Hispanics interviewed said voting this year is even more important than it was in 2016 so our task is to do everything possible to remove barriers to lawful participation,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Hispanic civil rights leaders are focused on continuing get-out-the-vote efforts even as the court battle intensifies. “This only motivates us more,” says Rodolfo Rosales, Jr., State Director of Texas LULAC. “Starting tomorrow, the final countdown is on and we're working nonstop through November 3rd when the polls close. LULAC members are committed to urge every Hispanic who is able to vote to do so and the sooner the better given all the circumstances surrounding getting the ballots in and counted,” stated Rosales.