Court’s Mail Ballot Ruling a Win for Harris County Voters

Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation

Following public controversy, the 127th Civil District Court today rejected an attempt by the state to halt Harris County’s mail ballot application plan. The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation commends Judge Ravi Sandill’s ruling, which will allow County Clerk Chris Hollins to resume his plan to send mail ballot applications to all registered voters in Harris County.

Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil said: “Texas Republicans’ crusade against voting rights is well documented and goes back decades. This is just the latest example in that shameful history, and we’re proud to stand with Harris County Clerk Hollins, Judge Hidalgo, and Commissioners Ellis and Garcia in pushing back against this blatant effort to disenfranchise voters”.

The Gulf Coast AFL-CIO has supported the Clerk’s plan to increase vote-by-mail to ensure the election is as safe as possible under pandemic conditions. Four days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit, the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO launched a digital campaign in collaboration with the Texas AFL-CIO to defend Harris County residents’ right to vote by mail.

In attacking the safest way to vote in this election, the state’s lawsuit risked Harris County public health and erected an unnecessary barrier to voting. Judge Sandill correctly declared Texas Republican leadership’s claims of voter fraud to “ring hollow.” This is a victory for not only Harris County voters, but for the fight against voter suppression tactics being waged across the country.

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The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (TGCALF), AFL-CIO unites the power of 95 unions representing 60,000 union members across 13 counties to advocate for working families in the Texas Gulf Coast. Learn more: www.gcaflcio.org/

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