Texas voters sue over age restrictions for mail-in ballots

[RandySF]

Citing the threats of the coronavirus, six Texas voters filed suit in federal court Wednesday challenging restrictions that limit age eligibility for voting-by-mail to those 65 and older.

In a lawsuit filed in San Antonio, the voters — all between the ages of 18 and 28 — claim the Texas election code violates the 26th Amendment’s protections against voting restrictions that discriminate based on age. While all Texas voters 65 and older can request a mail-in ballot, those younger than 65 must meet a narrow set of requirements to qualify.

The voters are backed by the National Redistricting Foundation, an affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee chaired by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The lawsuit cites the urgency brought on by the coronavirus outbreak in asking a federal judge to remedy what they argue are discriminatory and unconstitutional age restrictions.

"Having opted to make mail-in voting an option for voters in Texas, Defendants may not constitutionally choose to restrict access to the franchise to voters for no other reason than the fact that they are 18 years old, 25 years old, or 64-and-a-half years old. Period," the lawsuit argues. "While the Absentee Ballot Age Restriction would be unconstitutional under any event, in the current circumstances its application is unconscionable."

The age discrimination lawsuit is the latest front in an ongoing court battle to open up voting-by-mail in Texas during the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most of the state and ahead of the July 14 primary runoff elections. Until now, mail-in voting has been fairly limited in Texas, allowing voters to qualify for a ballot they can fill out at home and mail only if they are 65 years or older, have a disability or illness, will be out of the county during the election period, or are confined in jail.



https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/29/texas-voters-sue-over-age-restrictions-mail-ballots/

[sandensea]

1. Limited to those age 65 and over - which, as a group, are more likely to vote Republican.

"I remember when everyone was either white or black in this country - and the blacks knew their place!"

Common sentiment from Republican seniors in the South.

[Mariana]

2. I hope they win.

Old people are more likely to vote Republican, so of course it is in their interest to make it easier for older people to vote, and harder for younger people.

[AleksS]

4. Guarantee they thought of that!

Guarantee the TX leg. thought of that. Poll testing 2020!

There's really no depth to which they won't sink.

[TexasProgresive]

6. Mail ballots for those over 65 has been in use for more than 5 years.

I don't remember when my wife first was able to vote by mail - she is older than me. I have been voting by mail for 5 years.
This doesn't mean you are wrong about the Leg allowing vote by mail for 65 and older to increase the rPuke vote.

[coti]

3. Yeah, an age restriction is clearly unconstitutional. nt

[crickets]

5. Good for them. They're right. K&R

[Gothmog]

7. Hey Texas, read the 26th Amendment

Link to tweet

[Wounded Bear]

8. In a just world, this would be a slam dunk win...