AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A federal court challenge was filed late Thursday to Gov. Greg Abbott's proclamation limiting Texas counties to just one drop-off location for mail-in ballots.
The lawsuit, filed in Austin in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, features the Texas and national chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the League of Women Voters of Texas, and two voters.
"For Texas’ absentee voters - including those who had already requested or received their absentee ballot with the expectation that they would be able to use one of many drop-off locations offered by their county - the effect of the October 1 order is to unreasonably burden their ability to vote," the lawsuit states. "They will have to travel further distances, face longer waits, and risk exposure to COVID-19, in order to use the single ballot return location in their county."
Abbott's proclamation Thursday was billed as an effort to "maintain the integrity of our elections." Opponents called the move a blatant voter suppression tactic.
For now, counties across the state are complying with the proclamation. Travis County had 4 locations open Thursday; only the 5501 Airport Boulevard location will be open Friday.