AUSTIN, Texas — Voting rights advocates representing Hispanic and Black Texans along with faith-based groups on Friday filed a federal lawsuit challenging the divisive GOP elections bill, days after Texas lawmakers greenlit the proposal and sent it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
The groups argued that provisions in the bill, expected to be signed soon by Abbott, violate federal law and asked judges to block Abbott and other state officials from enforcing it.
In their suit filed in federal court in San Antonio, the plaintiffs’ legal team argued the sweeping election bill, which bans drive-through voting, empowers poll watchers and threatens election officials with new criminal penalties, “imposes burdens that will discourage, intimidate and deter eligible Texas voters, and will disproportionately impact voters of color and voters with disabilities.”
Among the plaintiffs are organizations representing the interests of Hispanic and Black Texans, the Harris County Elections Administrator and Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. The group’s legal team includes attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
The plaintiffs are suing Abbott, Texas Deputy Secretary of State Jose A. Esparza, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Medina County Elections Administrator Lupe C. Torres.
“Protecting the integrity of our elections is critical in the state of Texas, which is why Governor Abbott made election integrity an emergency item during the regular legislative session and worked to ensure its passage by calling special session after special session,” Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement.
Eze added that the proposal, SB 1, “will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections.” The new law is set to take effect in December.
The elections bill “will frustrate Friendship-West’s mission of encouraging its eligible congregants and community members, the majority of whom are Black, to register, to vote, and to serve as assistors and election workers, and will frustrate its ability to operate as a polling place,” the plaintiff’s attorneys said.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an order requiring Texas to preclear with the federal government all changes in statewide voting practices for a 10-year period.
The elections bill “will frustrate Friendship-West’s mission of encouraging its eligible congregants and community members, the majority of whom are Black, to register, to vote, and to serve as assistors and election workers, and will frustrate its ability to operate as a polling place,” the plaintiff’s attorneys said.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an order requiring Texas to preclear with the federal government all changes in statewide voting practices for a 10-year period.
Some civil rights groups on Friday filed a similar lawsuit in federal court in Austin against the elections bill, on behalf of organizations including the League of Women Voters of Texas, the Texas Organizing Project and Workers Defense Action Fund.
“SB 1 is a violation of our freedom to vote, and we will continue to fight every attempt to silence Texas voters,” Grace Chimene, president of the League of Women Voters of Texas, said in a news release.
———
