Texas AG: Fear of COVID-19 not a qualifying reason to receive absentee ballot

[RandySF]

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that fear of the COVID-19 pandemic is not a viable reason for Texas residents to apply for an absentee ballot for this year's upcoming elections.

To vote using an absentee ballot in Texas, a voter must apply for disability, which in the Texas Election Code is defined as a "sickness or physical condition” that prevents a Texan from voting in person.

“Mail ballots based on disability are specifically reserved for those who are physically ill and cannot vote in-person as a result. Fear of contracting COVID-19 does not amount to a sickness or physical condition as required by the Legislature,” Paxton said in a statement. “The integrity of our democratic election process must be maintained, and law established by our Legislature must be followed consistently.”

Democrats across the country have been calling for states to allow all registered voters have the option of using mail-in ballots, an idea that Republicans and President Trump have strongly rebuked.

“Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to state wide mail-in voting. Democrats are clamoring for it. Tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesn’t work out well for Republicans,” Trump tweeted last week.




https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/493016-texas-ag-fear-of-covid-19-not-a-qualifying-reason-to-receive-absentee

[totodeinhere]

1. Of course he will say that.

He is counting on a suppressed turnout helping Republican candidates.

[Blues Heron]

2. what a monster

this party has coughed up so many nasty monsters lately.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. It's an organized crime party. No more, no less.

Have to maintain control of power, at all costs...the health of voters be damned.

[ResistantAmerican17]

4. Our still AG -despite being under- indictment drumph fucktini

Is a real gem.

[Gothmog]

5. There was a hearing today and a state court judge ruled against the Texas AG

Link to tweet

I watched the hearing or most of it on zoom. Glen Maxey from the Texas Democratic Party was a witness and was great

Glen Maxey

We won first step today on the vote by mail lawsuit. Judge will enter order in next days. It will be appealed of course.
To those. Who commented asking me to wear a mask—it was on Zoom.

The court still requires a coat and tie. Thanks for all the comments on my post on how hot I looked (hot is defined by the reader). I will admit I was pant less.

And the cold AG attorney got her comeuppance when she seriously and snarkingly asked “you aren’t a medical doctor are you?” First know I hadn’t testified about anything medical.

So my response was “No. But neither is The Governor or the Attorney General.” She objected that was non-responsive. I don’t get lawyers. I was quite proud of that response.

Maybe I should have just called the AG a right wing ignorant ass. Since he issued a threat in a letter to Elections Committee Chair Klick that persons telling folks they can vote by mail using what the judge ruled today can be prosecuted
I don’t think I react well to government oppression. So stick it Kenny Paxton, courtyard bully. You don’t scare me