A federal judge has ruled that masks are now required for everyone, including voters and poll workers, inside polling locations in Texas.
The judge agreed with the Texas chapters of the NAACP and Mi Familia Vota that not mandating masks at polling places puts some at risk, in this case Latinos and African Americans.
U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam ruled not requiring face coverings created a discriminatory burden on Black and Latino voters, who are at higher risk of death and severe illness from the coronavirus.
Angelica Razo is with Mi Familia Vota. "Enforcing masks and making sure that folks are wearing masks is one of the ways that we can take some serious precautions against Covid-19. For the Latin and Black communities that have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, that's a priority for us."
She adds "It can be considered a voter intimidation tactic to walk into a polling place and be met with people who are not wearing their masks, who feel empowered to not wear their masks and pose a higher risk to communities that are really suffering from Covid-19."
The Texas Attorney General has appealed the ruling. Razo says her group is ready to fight that in court.
Early voting ends Friday and election day is Tuesday, November third.
