Advertisement

newsPolitics

Texas elections bill faces two federal court challenges from voting rights advocates

In one lawsuit, Dallas’ Friendship-West Baptist Church joins Hispanic, Black voting rights activists in fight to overturn bill they argue violates federal law.

AUSTIN — Two separate coalitions of voting rights advocates, civil rights organizations and faith-based groups filed lawsuits Friday challenging the divisive GOP elections bill, days after Texas lawmakers greenlit the proposal and sent it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

The groups argued that provisions in the bill, expected to be signed soon by Abbott, violate federal law and asked judges to block the governor and other state officials from enforcing it.

In their suit filed in federal court in San Antonio, the plaintiffs’ legal team argued the sweeping elections bill, which bans drive-through voting, empowers poll watchers and threatens election officials with new criminal penalties, “imposes burdens that will discourage, intimidate and deter eligible Texas voters, and will disproportionately impact voters of color and voters with disabilities.”

Advertisement

Among the plaintiffs in the first lawsuit are organizations representing the interests of Hispanic and Black Texans, the Harris County Elections Administrator and Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. The group’s legal team includes attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.

Political Points

Get the latest politics news from North Texas and beyond.

Or with:

The plaintiffs in that suit named Abbott, Texas Deputy Secretary of State Jose A. Esparza, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Medina County Elections Administrator Lupe C. Torres as defendants.

“Protecting the integrity of our elections is critical in the state of Texas, which is why Governor Abbott made election integrity an emergency item during the regular legislative session and worked to ensure its passage by calling special session after special session,” Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement.

Advertisement

Eze added that the proposal, SB 1, “will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections.” The new law is set to take effect in December.

Esparza, Paxton and Torres did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys said the elections bill “will frustrate Friendship-West’s mission of encouraging its eligible congregants and community members, the majority of whom are Black, to register, to vote, and to serve as assistors and election workers, and will frustrate its ability to operate as a polling place.”

Advertisement

The groups also are seeking an order requiring Texas to preclear with the federal government all changes in statewide voting practices for a 10-year period.

The second lawsuit against the elections bill was filed in federal court in Austin on behalf of organizations including the League of Women Voters of Texas, the Texas Organizing Project and Workers Defense Action Fund.

“SB 1 is a violation of our freedom to vote, and we will continue to fight every attempt to silence Texas voters,” Grace Chimene, president of the League of Women Voters of Texas, said in a news release.

Read the lawsuits here: