District Judge R.K. Sandill (D) denied Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton’s request for an injunction barring interim Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins from sending absentee ballot request forms to all registered voters in the county. Sandill ruled that Hollins is acting within his authority and the proposed action does not impede anyone’s right to vote.
Paxton appealed the decision. “This action blatantly violates state law, will cause voter confusion and undermines our election security,” he said in a statement.
Accepting the State’s interpretation of the Election Code “would lead to the absurd result that any and every private individual or organization may without limit send unsolicited mail voting applications to registered voters, but that the early voting clerk … cannot,” Sandill wrote in his ruling.
Sandill ruled that an accompanying explanation sent with the absentee ballot application “accurately and thoroughly informs” voters of the eligibility requirements. “The decision to apply for a ballot to vote by mail is within the purview of the voter,” Sandill wrote. “This Court firmly believes that Harris County voters are capable of reviewing and understanding the document Mr. Hollins proposes to send and exercising their voting rights in compliance with Texas law.”
Hollins, who previously said he was only mailing applications to voters aged 65 and older, said in a statement he would begin mailing applications to younger voters as soon as tomorrow (Saturday).
SD30 special (Safe Republican): Early voting for the September 29 special election begins Monday.
Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) endorsed Shelley Luther. At least four senators – Campbell, Fallon, Hughes and Perry – have endorsed Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster).
Parker County Conservatives PAC released a radio ad – “an urgent message for conservative voters” – criticizing Springer for his ties to a lobbyist (Springer is a financial services consultant who works for Ryan, whose CEO, Brint Ryan, is a registered lobbyist.).
SEN (Lean Republican): U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s (R) campaign released a new Spanish-language ad, “Tranquilo,” highlighting his efforts to limit human trafficking and support legalization of Dreamers.
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