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Fifth Circuit restores Texas mail-in ballot and voter assistance rules
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court's decision, restoring nine provisions of Texas's 2021 Election Integrity Protection Act. The ruling overturns a district judge's injunction that had blocked several regulations on the grounds that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The restored provisions include stricter requirements for mail-in ballots, such as necessitating that voters provide an identification number or the last four digits of a social security number that matches state records. Additionally, the court reinstated rules regarding voter assistance, which require individuals assisting voters to disclose their relationship to the voter, sign an oath against coercion, and disclose if they are being compensated.
In its decision, the appeals court found that most plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the law. The court specifically noted that organizations cannot establish standing simply by diverting resources to respond to a challenged law. Furthermore, the court ruled that local prosecutors cannot be held liable for disability discrimination under the ADA because they enforce election crimes rather than providing voting services.
Entities
AARP Texas · Election Integrity Protection Act of 2021 · Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals · Planned Parenthood · Texas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ruling reverses a previous injunction that had blocked nine provisions of the 2021 Election Integrity Protection Act. minuteman-militia.com · abc13.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court held that local prosecutors are not liable for disability discrimination under the ADA because they do not provide voting services. therightscoop.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district judge's decision regarding nine provisions of a 2021 Texas election law. minuteman-militia.com · therightscoop.com · www.lucianne.com · abc13.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court restored rules regarding voter assistance, including requirements for assistants to disclose their relationship to the voter and sign an oath. minuteman-militia.com · therightscoop.com · abc13.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The court found that most plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the law. minuteman-militia.com · therightscoop.com · abc13.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ruling restores requirements for voters to provide an ID number or social security number on mail-in ballot applications. minuteman-militia.com · therightscoop.com · www.lucianne.com · abc13.com