Gov. Greg Abbott (R) extended the early voting period for the November 3 general election by six days. Early voting in person will begin October 13 instead of October 19 and run through October 30. Abbott put a similar extension in place for the July 14 primary runoff and special elections.

Abbott also suspended Section 86.006(a-1), Election Code, to the “extent necessary” to enable a voter to deliver a mail ballot in person to the early voting clerk’s office prior to and during Election Day. That section of law permits a voter to do so only on Election Day.

AG: The First District Court of Appeals has abated an order sending the criminal case against Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R) to Collin Co. and has assigned the case to a new judge in Harris Co. The appeals court previously stayed that order. District Judge Robert Johnson recused himself from the case less than two weeks after ordering it returned to Paxton’s home county, so the cases were transferred to District Judge Jason Luong, pending today’s (Monday’s) ruling. Luong has 45 days to hold hearings and rule on the motion from Paxton’s team of attorneys to change the venue back to Collin Co.

CD4 open (Safe Republican): Fifth District Court of Appeals Justice David Bridges (R) was killed Saturday night by a wrong-way driver, who Royse City police has charged with intoxication manslaughter. Bridges was considered one of the front-runners in a crowded field to replace former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Heath) on the general election ballot. County and precinct chairs are scheduled to meet August 8 to choose the party’s replacement nominee, who will face Democrat Russell Foster in the general election.

CD23 open (Lean Democratic): Tony Gonzales’s campaign has declared victory in the Republican runoff with what is claimed to be a 46-vote lead (We have him up 10 votes, with the difference being Winkler Co.). Raul Reyes Jr. said on Facebook that “we are still in this race,” and he continues to raise money for a potential recount. The state Republican Party has until Saturday to certify the results.

CD25 (Lean Republican): A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee poll shows challenger Julie Oliver within 2 points of U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Austin) and Joe Biden leading President Trump by a point in the district. Both results are well within the poll’s 5-point margin of error.

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