AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A federal appeals court Wednesday issued a temporary stay of a ruling that would have opened up voting by mail to all Texas voters in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a preliminary injunction issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery. The administrative stay is in effect while the court decides if it will issue an injunction.
"I applaud the Fifth Circuit for issuing this temporary stay while the case proceeds. Protecting the integrity of elections is one of my top priorities, and allowing universal mail-in ballots would only lead to greater fraud and disenfranchise lawful voters," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement. "Law established by the Legislature must be followed consistently, including carefully limiting who may and may not vote by mail."
The case will likely end up at the U.S. Supreme Court, though it's unknown if that will happen prior to the July 14 primary runoff elections.
Texas law currently allows those under the age of 65 to qualify for a mail-in ballot only if they cite a disability or illness, will be out of the county during the election period, or are confined in jail.