Texas Gov. Greg Abbott extended the state’s window for early voting to help regulate crowds and minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
Abbott, a Republican, announced the nearly one-week extension on Monday. Early voting will begin on Oct. 13 until Oct. 30. The change also extended the window during which mail-in ballots can be accepted via hand delivery up to Election Day.
“As we respond to COVID-19, the State of Texas is focused on strategies that preserve Texans’ ability to vote in a way that also mitigates the spread of the virus,” Abbott said in a statement about the change.
“By extending the early voting period and expanding the period in which mail-in ballots can be hand-delivered, Texans will have greater flexibility to cast their ballots, while at the same time protecting themselves and others from COVID-19,” he added.
NEW: Texas @GovAbbott is extending early voting for the November election by nearly a week.
It will now begin on Oct. 13.#txlege #tx2020 pic.twitter.com/xO5A3wsdLa
— Matt Largey (@mattlargey) July 27, 2020
Many states have adjusted their Election Day policies to allow for alternatives that could minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Texas currently has strict limits on which residents qualify to vote by mail. The Supreme Court recently upheld the state’s ability to limit who is allowed to vote by mail after the Texas Democratic Party sued to expand vote by mail.
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa called Abbott’s decision to extend early voting an example of the governor doing the “bare minimum” to protect voters.
“National public health and voting experts agree: We need expanded mail voting for Texans under the age of 65, more money for county clerks to carry out elections, and leadership from our state leaders that supports voters instead of disenfranchising their rights. Governor Abbott had the opportunity to make voting convenient and safe for all Texans — he didn’t,” Hinojosa said in a statement.
