Texas Ballot Return Restriction

Consolidated lawsuit filed by various voting rights groups challenging Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) October announcement that, despite an expansion of early voting earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas counties could only provide one location per county to deliver mail-in and absentee ballots. The complaint challenges the constitutionality of this order, which would effectively close additional drop box locations throughout the state. The district court agreed with the plaintiffs and blocked the Governor from enforcing his order. On appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the district court’s preliminary injunction was stayed pending appeal — effectively allowing Abbott’s ban on additional drop boxes to remain in place for the November 2020 election. Months after the election the district court dismissed the case as moot, per the order of the 5th Circuit.

Last updated: August 18, 2021 10:43 pm EST