Texas AG threatens to criminally sanction any group that tells voters to apply for a mail-in ballot

[SheltieLover]

[link:https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/texas-ag-threatens-to-criminally-sanction-any-group-that-tells-voters-to-apply-for-a-mail-in-ballot-to-avoid-covid-19/|

Texas AG threatens to criminally sanction any group that tells voters to apply for a mail-in ballot to avoid COVID-19
Published 5 mins ago on April 15, 2020By Matthew Chapman

On Wednesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office issued a letter saying that the state’s official position is that fear of contracting COVID-19 is not a valid excuse for applying for an absentee ballot.

Furthermore, the letter warned that any entity telling voters to apply on that basis could face “criminal sanctions” under state law prohibiting election fraud and the encouragement of “false information” on ballot applications, depending on “the facts and circumstances of the individual case."

On Wednesday afternoon, a district judge for Travis County issued a temporary injunction allowing voters to cite coronavirus risk to apply to vote by mail. That decision does not apply to the entire state and is likely to be appealed.

[dlk]

1. Is there an actual criminal statute he would be enforcing?

This sounds like garden variety bullying.

[csziggy]

41. From the article linked in the OP

Texas has among the most burdensome restrictions in the country on those seeking to vote by mail. To qualify for an absentee ballot, Texas voters must be over the age of 65, disabled, or absent from their county or confined in lockup during the voting period. Voting rights groups are urging state judges to interpret the “disabled” excuse to also include people at risk of exposure to coronavirus — which Paxton opposes.

[dlk]

42. I'm aware of this statute

What I meant was there anything on the books that would make it a criminal offense to make a request?

[csziggy]

51. I'd bet he thinks that any improper request is criminal

No matter what the circumstance. After all, this is a Republican politician in a red state who thinks part of his job is to suppress the vote.

[dlk]

67. It's the authoritarian mindset...

[LymphocyteLover]

2. OMG, this is evil beyond belief

The GOP truly is a death cult

[Baitball Blogger]

12. +1

[Liberal In Texas]

38. Paxton is evil

Securities fraud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Paxton

[cayugafalls]

3. Lord help me be kind. These rat bastards are more than evil.

I am immune suppressed. I would prefer to vote by mail. Now what?

I am going to clad myself in a garbage bag, mask, gloves and goggles and vote anyways...F**k them all.

P.S. I have to amend my statement. His order does not apply to me. I have an underlying illness that makes me immune suppressed and therefore I would qualify for a mail in ballot.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/admin/2020/Press/4.14.20%20Letter%20to%20Rep.%20Klick.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

[SheltieLover]

8. Glad you qualify!!!!

[cayugafalls]

9. Thank you.

[Gothmog]

4. This letter was considered in hearing today

A state court judge indicated that he will issue injunction that will allow groups to advise voters on this’

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[SheltieLover]

11. And they will appeal I'm sure!

Weird because my non legal professional understanding is that appeals are only heard for procedural errors, not because you didn't like the verdict.

But I suppose the sophists will contort words to get their way. 🤮

[Gothmog]

28. Yes, there will be an appeal

Link to tweet

[SheltieLover]

29. I'm sure they will & court should refuse to hear it!

[LiberalFighter]

36. If the Supreme Court (State or US) agree to hear the appeal.

They should be required to meet in person.

[Gothmog]

37. There are separate federal and state lawsuits filed by the Texas Democratic Party

There has been no hearing in federal case and so this case will have a hard time getting to ScOTUS before November 3
There will be zoom hearings for the state court appeals

[MFGsunny]

68. Much obliged for all your Voter Protection efforts!

We know that when it comes to many legal initiatives, Paxton et al must be related to spawns of hell.

Keep us posted. You always do!


This is the .pdf of AG's office Letter. Read it and weep.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/admin/2020/Press/4.14.20%20Letter%20to%20Rep.%20Klick.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

[Gothmog]

70. The gist of the letter is the basis of the lawsuit and was used to justify standing for the TDP

The Texas AG argued that the Texas Democratic Party did not have standing. Chad Dunn (the ACLU and TDP counsel) pointed out that Paxton is threatening anyone who advises voters to vote by mail if they are afraid of COVID with prison. This was enough to satisfy the court that the ACLU and the Texas Democratic Party had standing to sue

[SheltieLover]

18. TY Goth!

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Gothmog]

44. I volunteer a great deal of my time on voter protection efforts

I am on a committee with Chad Dunn working to set up a statewide organization for Democratic Lawyers

[SheltieLover]

46. Very nice of you!

[mokawanis]

5. Sounds like elections are going to come down to

which side is more willing to risk death in order to vote. Is this America or am I having a bad dream?

[SheltieLover]

13. We are living a nightmare because they never are brought to justice!

[RKP5637]

6. It really makes wonder WTF is wrong with republicans and is it more of a mental problem than

party choice to be in the GOP, particularly in the 21st century!

[SheltieLover]

15. In my

professional opinion about 85% of them are certifiable. Delusions, personality disorders, anti-social behavior, etc.

But patriarchy celebrates those values. 🤮

[RKP5637]

21. Same in mine too. n/t

[SheltieLover]

23. 👍

I think the other 15% are just plain fkn stupid.

[DBoon]

19. If you categorize being an asshole to be a mental health problem

the yes, republican voters tend to have mental issues

[RKP5637]

22. And for some it even dips into being perhaps narcissistic, sociopathic or psychotic. n/t

[SheltieLover]

24. Well

Lack of social interest is 1 indicator, clinically speaking. Pile all the rest up & it os a really ugly picture. Perhaps the worst of it being that patriarchy rewards these behaviors. 😳🤯

[Stuart G]

7. This is really a good thing..Why? Shows how insane Republicans are..Of course, the

Texas AG does not see it that way. It is all about him and the Republican Party....

But that "Republican position" ......defines Republicans..

................This guy doesn't even know it..................................

[bluestarone]

10. tRUMP keeps bringing the RETHUGLICON

ASSHOLES out of the shit piles for sure! Should NEVER be another rethuglicon voted in!

[SheltieLover]

16. Right!

We must them all out on election day & keep

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. The GOP may be scoring the biggest own goal in history with this.

Historically, mail in ballots have tended to favor GOP candidates and conservative issues.

I was a little baffled by their resistance to absentee ballots until I realized they are so invested in voter suppression tactics they apparently are failing to analyze that this particular voter suppression tactic could hurt them in some respects.

However, if we eventually move to a 100% mail in ballot election, that would probably slaughter them. So there is that.

But if there is a combination of vote in person and mail in ballots, and they suppress mail in ballots? They will shoot themselves in the face like a whole herd of Cheneys.

[SheltieLover]

17. OK By me!

🤣

If they would shoot selves in face now, it would be better for everyone. 🤣🤣🤣

[crickets]

20. Thanks for the info - had no idea.

if we eventually move to a 100% mail in ballot election, that would probably slaughter them

Yep! Republicans are terrified of a 100% mail in ballot election with good reason. Everyone will be able to vote easily without so many of the roadblocks put up when voting in person, including having the time to do it and the internet resources to research all of the people and items on it. It could be the death knell of the party.

Boo hoo.

[SheltieLover]

25. Likely why they want to literally own a privatized post office.

[crickets]

26. Buying more stamps today.

[SheltieLover]

31. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Pacifist Patriot]

39. I have absolutely no doubt killing the post office is part of this voter suppression strategy.

[exboyfil]

40. 150 vs. 5 voting locations in Milwaukee

It might be an own goal by thaem, but taking out paper ballot accountability is their goal. People who work during the day only have a few hours to vote. Now they also have to risk their lives.

[uponit7771]

49. +1, I pray vote by mail is expanded

[uponit7771]

48. lol

[Chainfire]

27. The only thing to say about such voter suppression is

Sieg Heil!

[SheltieLover]

30. Right!

🤮

[Gothmog]

45. I am a member of Lawyers for Biden and have been active on voter protection with state party

We are gearing up to fight voter suppression

[Chainfire]

63. Good luck

[vercetti2021]

32. Guess who's applying for one

Come at me Paxton you motherfucker.

[SheltieLover]

33. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[JCMach1]

34. Dumbass will have to prosecute the media then

Judge just rules vote by mail for runoff is just fine andnmedianwas reporting it

[Initech]

35. Do they want us to die???

[Gothmog]

43. This is from Glen Maxey who is with the Texas Democratic Party

Glen is interesting

Glen Maxey

We won first step today on the vote by mail lawsuit. Judge will enter order in next days. It will be appealed of course.
To those. Who commented asking me to wear a mask—it was on Zoom.

The court still requires a coat and tie. Thanks for all the comments on my post on how hot I looked (hot is defined by the reader). I will admit I was pant less.

And the cold AG attorney got her comeuppance when she seriously and snarkingly asked “you aren’t a medical doctor are you?” First know I hadn’t testified about anything medical.

So my response was “No. But neither is The Governor or the Attorney General.” She objected that was non-responsive. I don’t get lawyers. I was quite proud of that response.

Maybe I should have just called the AG a right wing ignorant ass. Since he issued a threat in a letter to Elections Committee Chair Klick that persons telling folks they can vote by mail using what the judge ruled today can be prosecuted
I don’t think I react well to government oppression. So stick it Kenny Paxton, courtyard bully. You don’t scare me

[MFGsunny]

71. For sure Glen Maxey was a "feature" when we lived in Austin from 1989-99.

Totally, bless his heart .... in a good way here.

[Gothmog]

72. Glen is a good guy

Glen claims to have registered more naked voters between 2AM and 6 AM on the Austin strip than anyone else. I could find a record book with this category but I believe Glen

I was a national delegate to Philadelphia convention and brought my youngest child as my guest. Glen got her a visitor pass for the first Night of the convention where she got to hear Michele Obama. I also learned from my daughter that the convention site was a pokemon go gym. Glen also gave me an extra swag bag to give to Juanita Jean. Glen is truly a good man.

[MFGsunny]

73. Glen is a GREAT guy, and I TOTALLY BELIEVE his voter registration prowess.

He's a GEM.

Got to know him way back in those "Save Barton Springs" days.

This is just one of those times when being a feature is a beautiful thing!

Yea, I know how easily we can also disrupt such a truly awesome meaning of the word "feature" as some of us might think back on those more sarcastic Microsoft "feature vs. bug" days and times!

[Duppers]

47. Omfg! nt

[UCmeNdc]

50. Why? Why? Why?

It is so hard to vote and have that vote be counted correctly in the United States, why?

[DFW]

52. Texas is in serious danger of turning blue

So of course, Republicans will try any method, legal or illegal, to prevent it from happening.

[vercetti2021]

53. Can't stop the inevitable

Wave after wave of new voters each year and transplants from other states. They know their power is going to slip away. When they lose Texas, they never win the presidency again.

[DFW]

54. It would be enough

Just for every citizen who has a legitimate right to vote being able to exercise that right, and for every one of those votes cast to be counted.

Unfortunately we are still a long way off from there. Texas Republicans are still very much in Stalinist mode ("Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything" ).

[vercetti2021]

55. True

They won't stop trying to find ways. But eventually time is gonna catch them. Start of 2010. The GOP had 101 compared to the Dems 49. Now we are 9 seats from flipping the Texas house.

They can try and cheat all they want. Texas will pull a Virginia in the next decade.

[DFW]

56. That would be nice. Then I'd be two for two

I was born in Virginia.

[vercetti2021]

57. Maybe you are the good luck charm

Texas got about 4 or 6 more years I assume

[DFW]

58. We desperately need to get rid of Abbott and Paxton

Once they're gone, we might sweep the state.

Wendy Davis is now running for a seat in the House in D.C. It would be great to add her voice to the rest of the Democratic women in the House. If Valerie makes it in NM, too, I will really be doing the happy dance. My wife won't let me go to Washington any more without a chaperone!

[Trailrider1951]

59. You can give Wendy Davis some support right here:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ads_bs_dav_dd_gs_2002?refcode=ads_bs_dav_dd_gs_nat_1219&recurring=auto&gclid=CjwKCAjwhOD0BRAQEiwAK7JHmDIqzDmBgVlIHLSCCXXx2DNj_2wyNcsUwk7Ur1TXaQhjNSngAhMtLRoC2DMQAvD_BwE

I lived in Texas for many years and would love to see it turn BLUE!

[DFW]

60. Too late

I already sent her $1000 in January, and have been in touch with her on a regular basis since then.

[Trailrider1951]

61. That's excellent! Thank you!

[DFW]

62. Hey, I have my priorities!

And as for House races, Wendy and Valerie are right up there!

[Chainfire]

64. If Texas turned blue

I would take back half of all of the nasty things I have said about the state.

[DFW]

65. If we give our electoral votes to Biden in the fall, do we get the other half, too? n/t

[Chainfire]

66. OH come on!

5/8 is as high as I can go and still hold my head up.

[DFW]

69. Considering our recent history

I guess we should be grateful for what we can get!

[Gothmog]

74. Texas judge rules all registered voters can vote by mail if they fear catching coronavirus

Last edited Fri Apr 17, 2020, 10:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Link to tweet

This makes me smile https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/politics/texas-voting-by-mail-disability-coronavirus/index.html

A Texas judge on Friday ruled that all registered voters in the state should be allowed to request and use mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.

District Judge Tim Sulak, in a ruling filed Friday in Travis County, issued a temporary injunction that eases the definition of "disability" in Texas' vote-by-mail provision, making it apply to all registered voters who fear for their health in casting ballots in person for the state's upcoming elections.

Texas' election code defines "disability" as "a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health." Voters who meet this definition and wish to vote by mail must submit applications.
Sulak acknowledged during a court hearing on Wednesday that he expects an appeal from the state attorney's office, which has issued guidance that fear of Covid-19 does not qualify as a disability.

"Moreover the evidence shows that voters and these Plaintiffs ... are reasonable that voting in person while the virus that causes Covid-19 is still in general circulation presents a likelihood of injuring their health, and any voters without established immunity meet the plain language definition of disability thereby entitling them to a mailed ballot," the order read.

In late March, Gov. Greg Abbott postponed dozens of election runoffs statewide for party nominations to congressional and local offices, set for May 26, until July 14. The new date was made to coincide with a competitive special election for a Texas state Senate seat. In issuing the delay, Abbott didn't weigh in on whether to expand mail-in voting access.

[SheltieLover]

75. Thank you, Gothmog!

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁