As shared earlier this fall, Democrats Abroad and our Texas State Team have been closely monitoring the passage of SB 1, a bill in the Texas State Legislature that would strip the right to vote from numerous groups in Texas, including Americans voting from abroad (military and civilian).
We are pleased to report that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed suit against the State of Texas, challenging provisions to SB 1 that "will disenfranchise eligible Texas citizens who seek to exercise their right to vote, including voters with limited English proficiency, voters with disabilities, elderly voters, members of the military deployed away from home, and American citizens residing outside of the country. These vulnerable voters already confront barriers to the ballot box, and SB 1 will exacerbate the challenges they face in exercising their fundamental right to vote."
The DOJ is specifically challenging the new identification requirements for mail-in ballots, rightly stating that they could disenfranchise eligible voters. You can read the DOJ’s statement on the suit and download the full text of the complaint.
We’re thankful to all of the groups who have come together, from the Texas Democratic Party and the DOJ to the DNC Voter Protection Teams and our own Democrats Abroad Texas State Team, to ensure that overseas voters do not lose the right to cast their ballots.
Anyone interested in improving ballot access and representing the interests of overseas voters in state legislatures can join the DA State Teams by contacting [email protected].
Please support Democrats Abroad as we protect and expand your right to vote from abroad!