Justice Department sues Texas over new restrictive voting procedures

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Additionally, the DOJ argued that the state’s law law violates Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by requiring rejectiom of mail ballots and mail ballot request forms die tpo certain paperwork errors or omissions that are not significant to establishing a voter’s eligibility to vote.

The Justice Department is seeking a court order prohibiting Texas from enforcing those requirements.

In a statement, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said, “Our democracy depends on the right of eligible voters to cast a ballot and to have that ballot counted. The Justice Department will continue to use all the authorities at its disposal to protect this fundamental pillar of our society.”

On the other hand, the DOJ’s Civil Roghts Division Assitant Attorney General Kristen Clarke commented that they are committed to protecting all Americans’ fundamental right to vote.

Laws that impair eligible citizens’ access to the ballot box have no place in our democracy. Texas Senate Bill 1’s restrictions on voter assistance at the polls and on which absentee ballots cast by eligible voters can be accepted by election officials are unlawful and indefensible,” added Clarke.