LULAC Files Lawsuit With Partners To Challenge Voter Suppression In Texas

Nation’s Oldest & Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Calls for Expanded Resources as New Data Confirms Latinos are Bearing the Economic Brunt of COVID-19

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, challenging Texas’ restrictions on mail-in ballots. As it stands, Texas law restricts access to mail-in ballots to voters who are over 65, people who are in jail and not convicted, people who will be out of the county, and people who are sick or disabled. Texas officials have threatened criminal prosecution of voters who attempt to cast mail ballots who do not meet these specific criteria, including those who would prefer to vote by mail due to fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19. Long wait lines during the primaries, if repeated in the November general election, could lead to thousands of voters of both parties getting sick and possibly dying. Additionally, most poll workers are retired, elderly, and the most at-risk portion of the population.

The coronavirus pandemic continues to disproportionately impact Latinos around the country, these prohibitive policies have a significant impact on Texas Latinos seeking to exercise their right to vote without risking their health during the July primary runoff elections and in November. LULAC, along with other civic organizations, is represented by the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), and is asking a federal judge to block the Texas Secretary of State from enforcing the provisions.

“Once again, Texas officials are looking for ways to effectively disenfranchise Latinos and people of color by suppressing their right to vote. People should never be forced to make a choice between showing up to the polls and risking their health,” said LULAC President Domingo Garcia. “LULAC will not stand for this blatant oppression of our community’s constitutional right to vote in the middle of a pandemic that has killed more than 1,000 Texans and infected over 40,000. Texas is stronger when more people can participate in our democracy and determine who is fit to govern. I asked our Governor and state officials to support a bipartisan interim law to allow all Texans to be able to vote by mail in the 2020 election.”

The complaint can be found here.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.