Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered multiple drop-off ballot sites to close ahead of the election.
Abbott issued a proclamation on Thursday announcing that each county in the state will be limited to one drop-off site, according to multiple reports. He cited election security as the reason behind the decision, which will take effect Friday.
“The State of Texas has a duty to voters to maintain the integrity of our elections,” Abbott said in a statement. “As we work to preserve Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting.”
One county, in particular, Harris County, had opened 12 locations where residents could go to drop off their ballots. Travis County also had four locations. But, starting Friday, only one will be allowed to remain open.
The proclamation came in the form of an addition to a previous proclamation the governor made on July 27, where he made procedural changes to the vote to accommodate for the difficulties that come with the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to limiting counties to one drop-off location, the proclamation also made it mandatory for early voting clerks to permit poll watchers to supervise their conduct. Those who are standing by watching are also allowed to watch “the presentation of an acceptable form of identification.”
The issue of mail-in voting has been a hot topic given that more than 75% of voters will have the opportunity to get their ballot in the mail, which is the most in the country’s history, according to the New York Times.
President Trump has repeatedly condemned mass mail-in voting, saying that it is susceptible to fraud, and did so during Tuesday’s presidential debate. He has repeatedly declined to promise a peaceful transition of power from him to former Vice President Joe Biden should he lose in November.
