HOUSTON – Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee held a press conference Friday afternoon to give an update on the preliminary injunction hearing in a lawsuit challenging Texas’ voting bill, Senate Bill 1.
Previous lawsuits claim that the legislation has violated federal laws, such as the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, the American with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the First, 14th and 15th Amendments. Harris County officials have argued that SB 1 has created hurdles and restrictions that suppresses voters and limits public officials and organizations from helping voters.
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Menefee said this particular lawsuit focuses on banning the part of Senate Bill 1 that criminalizes election officials who encourage people to vote by mail if they are applicable.
He said it is important to enough people to exercise their lawful right to vote by mail. Menefee also said election officials are nervous to encourage voters to use their option of mail-in voting in fear of violating the state law.
Menefee said if the court grants their request to ban criminal prosecution against election workers, they will continue to encourage voters.
San Antonio Judge Rodriguez will make the ruling sometime Friday.