Posted on 09/30/2024 12:15:09 PM PDT by BigFreakinToad
A federal judge ruled on Saturday that part of a Texas law that enacted new voting restrictions violated the U.S. Constitution by being too vague and restricting free speech.
The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, immediately halted the state’s ability to investigate alleged cases of vote harvesting, such as the investigation into the League of United Latin American Citizens by Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Before today’s ruling, a person who knowingly provided or offered vote harvesting services in exchange for compensation was committing a third-degree felony. This meant that organizers of voter outreach organizations and even volunteers could spend up to ten years in prison and fined up to $10,000 for giving or offering these services.
Paxton on Monday vowed to appeal the ruling.
“A ruling—weeks prior to an election— preventing my office from investigating potential election violations is deeply troubling and risks undermining public trust in our political process,” he said.
According to Republican lawmakers, the provision was put in place to prevent voter fraud and secure election integrity. However, in the ruling, the judge noted that there was widespread confusion about how to implement the canvassing restriction from local election administrators. This confusion also left voter outreach organizations uncertain about whether they could provide volunteers with food or bus fare because it could look like compensation.
Many organizations – including La Union del Pueblo Entero, LULAC, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund – have filed lawsuits against many other provisions of the law, including voter assistance and mail-in ballot restrictions. The challenges to these provisions have not been ruled on yet. The original complaints were filed in August and September 2021.
Before the law, organizations like OCA-Greater Houston, an advocacy organization for people of Asian and Pacific Island descent, would host in-person election events and allow attendees to bring their mail-in ballots in order to receive help like language assistance.
Nina Perales, vice president of litigation at MALDEF, wrote that “Today’s ruling means that voter outreach organizers and other advocates in Texas can speak to mail ballot voters about issues on the ballot and urge voters to support improvements to their communities.”
ACLU of Texas celebrated the ruling on X saying, “This is a win for voting rights in the state, and for the organizations that help keep elections accessible.”
What if the legislatures include state protections on election fraud as a part of choosing Electors?
I'd think that the state is in a better Constitutional position than a court relying on 1st amendment protections, which have nothing to do with elections.
-PJ
Just ignore him and do it anyway. Democrats ignore any ruling they don’t like. Eventually, they are going to have to simply have to be told “no”.
Bet the 5th Circuit reverses and pronto.
He’s a Rino Bush appointee-that says it all. I have a Spanish surname/family name-I’m a lifelong conservative...
Very likely-and the ridiculous ruling will probably be ignored anyway. The rats are desperate.
Good point.
Conversely, if a ballot harvesting organization fails to deliver the ballots in time for the election can the voters sue the organization?
Is it a crime for ballot harvesters to pay for ballots?
Can’t, I agree with you
Pay him no mind.
He is powerless to enforce his ruling
Oh please stop - that's ignorant.
There judges were ALSO appointed by President Bush:
Roger Benitez
Glenn Suddaby
Do some research and see how they rule.
If the democrats’ Judge can’t make this bogus argument of a 1st amendment violation stick he will declare the state has no standing in the issue of ensuring an honest election.
It doesn’t matter if their specious arguments get blown away on appeal.
They just want to get past the election date without non-democrats hampering the steal.
spot on. they know the appeal process will take longer than the days left before the election. This ruling is election interference. Those groups mentioned will be stuffing the mail in ballot boxes everywhere.
No one! That is what they wish to make illegal.
If ever there was another occasion of,
“he made his ruling, now let him enforce it “
The Constitution clearly gives authority over elections to the states.
This judge has overstepped his authority.
His ruling is an opinion, not law.
“Just ignore him and do it anyway. Democrats ignore any ruling they don’t like. Eventually, they are going to have to simply have to be told “no”.”
Agreed.
It’s sad that we may have to come to that but the day may come when a state tells a federal judge “Please try to enforce your ruling”.
Until that happens, this crap will continue.
It never ceases to amaze me how much CORRUPTION is discovered
when you get a lot of hispanics or blacks into government AT ANY LEVEL.
Since when can the AG not investigate a crime? This order needs to be appealed immediately.
Governors need to start sending these federalez eviction papers and escorting them to the state border. Governors need to grow a spine.
fight fire with fire
- Texas Republicans do what the Democrats are doing only do it better.
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