Texas GOP Assault on Vote by Mail Continues
A part of the voter suppression strategy in Texas includes a restrictive vote by mail system. 45 states, including Republican-controlled South Carolina, have changed their laws this summer to expand vote by mail as a result of COVID-19. Texas is not one of those states. To vote by mail in Texas, there are four categories of eligibility:
- You are 65 years of age or older
- You are disabled
- You will be out of the county on election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance (e.g. college students, military)
- You are confined in jail, but otherwise eligible to vote
The Texas Election Code defines a disability as a “sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing person assistance or of injuring the voter’s health”. Democrats were back in Court this week to push for wider access to vote by mail, while the GOP continued its false narrative that expanded vote by mail would result in widespread voter fraud. The crux of the argument made by the Democrats before a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is that the Texas law constitutes impermissible age discrimination, because it confers a privilege to older voters that it denies to voters under 65. They contend there is nothing that makes the votes of older voters so important that it is worth the risk of the alleged fraud that the GOP alleges. The “voter fraud” mantra is not substantiated by the data in Texas. It is notable that the Texas Attorney General’s own website states that “From 2005-2017, the attorney general’s office prosecuted 97 defendants for numerous voter fraud violations”.
How many votes are typically case in Texas? In the November 2018 gubernatorial election in Texas, 8,371,655 votes were cast. Mail in ballots will start to go out in Texas on September 19, 2020; therefore, the judges acknowledged the need for a swift decision. Early voting begins in Texas on October 13, 2020. In the areas where we operate, Rideshare2Vote runs every day of early voting through Election Day. Our projection is that vote by mail will continue to be a murky mess; therefore, voters who are not currently eligible to vote by mail would be best served by making a plan to vote in person. Our information to-date is that polling locations are prepared to make the experience safe. Our drivers are also trained to make the voting experience very safe for you.
We have implemented procedures that exceed the CDC guidelines. We will take one voter at a time. Voters will sit in the back right seat. Drivers and voters will wear masks. Weather permitting, windows will be down in the car for air circulation. Cars will be completely sanitized between trips. This year is an election battle like none other. The viability of our Democracy is at stake. Put on your battle armor (masks, gloves, and anything else you need!) and show up in person. Enlist with us to help us expand our reach to Democratic voters across Texas and beyond. Your brains, driving ability and financial support are invaluable!
