Texas Judge Issues Order That Could Greatly Expand Mail-In Voting
A state district judge said Wednesday that he will move forward with an order easing restrictions for voting by mail in Texas in light of the new coronavirus pandemic.
After conducting a video conference hearing in a lawsuit filed by state Democrats and civic organizations, Judge Tim Sulak told the attorneys he will issue a temporary injunction allowing all voters who risk exposure to the coronavirus if they vote in person to ask for a mail-in ballot under a portion of the Texas election code allowing absentee ballots for voters who cite a disability. His ruling, which is almost certain to be appealed by the state, could greatly expand the number of voters casting ballots by mail in the upcoming July primary runoff elections.
(Sulak signed the official order on Friday to allow voters to request a mail-in ballot during the coronavirus pandemic by citing the disability qualification allowed in the Texas election code.)
Until now, voting by mail has been limited in the state. Texans seeking an absentee ballot that they can fill out at home and mail in had to be 65 years or older, have a disability or illness, be out of the county during the election period, or be confined in jail.
https://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2020/04/18/texas-judge-issues-order-that-could-greatly-expand-mail-in-voting