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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan Applauds Mail-in Ballot Decision

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HOUSTON - Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan applauded the decision by District Judge Tim  Sulak to issue a temporary injunction allowing all voters at risk of  contracting the coronavirus if they  vote in person to ask for a mail-in ballot. 

Judge Sulak said he would issue the injunction during a hearing¾ held by video conference to ensure social distancing¾ about whether Texas election law allows voters to vote by mail because  of a “likelihood . . . of injuring the voter’s health,” during the  ongoing and likely long lasting Coronavirus pandemic. 

“I  am grateful that Judge Sulak recognizes the need to protect our  citizens from this dangerous pandemic while protecting their right to  vote,” said Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan.  “As we outlined in our friend of the court brief, requiring millions of  people to vote in person, in sometimes small cramped spaces where  social distancing is impossible with poll workers who are vulnerable  themselves, is a prescription to spread COVID-19  exponentially.”

Judge Sulak citedthe need for clarity in the application of the law and uniformity across the state. His official order has not yet been issued.

The  lawsuit was filed by the Texas Democratic Party and individual voters  who sought to vote by mail because of the coronavirus outbreak. The  League of Women Voters of Texas  and other nonprofits, joined the lawsuit.  County Attorney Vince Ryan  filed a friend of court brief seeking to allow all voters at risk of contracting the coronavirus to vote by mail.

“Aletter issued by the  Attorney General’s Office in opposition of the  ruling indicates this will be a long battle,” added Ryan. “We look  forward to a final decision in favor of the health and safety of the  people of Harris  County.”

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