Texas mail ballot ID requirement found unconstitutional

A federal judge in San Antonio has declared Texas' requirements for mail ballot applications unconstitutional. This ruling comes from U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, who found that the rules under the 2021 voter security law, SB1, unfairly discriminate against voters with disabilities. Many mail-in voters are seniors over 65 or those with disabilities. Since the law took effect, numerous ballots have been rejected because voters did not provide the correct ID number. Attorney Victor Genecin noted that many people have multiple IDs, making it hard for them to know which number to use. He reported that the Texas Secretary of State admitted to having over 650,000 incorrect registration records. The judge ordered Texas to remove these ID requirements from mail-in ballot applications. However, due to the upcoming municipal elections on May 3, the law will remain in effect until then. Judge Rodriguez also invalidated parts of SB1 that required those helping voters to take an oath, which Genecin described as an undue burden on those assisting voters with disabilities. Opponents of SB1 celebrated the ruling as a win for voting access. Elsie Cooke-Holmes, President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which was involved in the case, stated that this decision helps ensure that voters with disabilities can participate fully in the electoral process. While the judge previously ruled against criminalizing voter assistance, Texas is expected to appeal this latest decision. Cooke-Holmes emphasized that their efforts to combat voter suppression will continue. SB1 was enacted following unfounded claims of voter fraud related to the 2020 election and included many restrictions on voting methods.