Judge Overturns Governor’s Ballot Drop-off Reductions

Austin (WBAP/KLIF) – A federal judge has blocked Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s October 1 order that dramatically reduced the number of places where voters could drop off mail ballots during early voting in the November elections. Abbott’s order closed dozens of sites statewide, limiting the number of drop-off locations to one per county, including in Texas’ biggest cities. The order also emphasized that poll watchers may observe ballot deliveries. President Donald Trump’s urging that his supporters go to polling places and “watch very carefully” raised concerns about possible voter intimidation. Democrats and voting rights groups call the order voter suppression. Republicans say the reduced number of drop off sites enhanced election security. The judge’s decision is likely to be appealed to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.