First Deep Dive on new Texas voting laws on mail ballots…

[Elderberry]

Citizen Free Press 3/11/2022



Texas flagged 27,000 mail ballots for rejection

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More than 27,000 mail ballots in Texas were flagged for rejection in the first test of new voting restrictions enacted across the U.S., jeopardizing votes cast by Democrats and Republicans alike and in counties big and small, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

It puts the rate of rejected mail ballots in Texas on track to significantly surpass previous elections. The preliminary figures — reported by Texas counties after votes were counted in the state’s March 1 primary — is the fullest picture to date of how new election rules came into play.

Rejected mail ballots are relatively uncommon in a typical election. But the initial rejection rate among mail voters in the Texas primary was roughly 17% across 120 counties, according to county-by-county figures.

Although the final number of discounted ballots will be substantially lower, the early numbers suggest Texas’ rejection rate will far exceed the 2020 general election, when federal data showed that less than 1% of mail ballots statewide were rejected.

“It took me three tries and 28 days but I got my ballot and I voted,” said Pamiel Gaskin of Houston. Like many rejected mail voters, she did not list a matching identification number that Texas’ new law requires.

For now, the numbers do not represent how many Texas ballots were effectively thrown out. Voters had until Monday to “fix” rejected mail ballots, which in most cases meant providing identification that is now required under a law signed last fall by Greg Abbott.

New requirements include listing an identification number — either a driver’s license or a Social Security number — on the ballot’s carrier envelope. That number must match the county’s records.

If a ballot is rejected, voters could add an ID number via an online ballot tracking system, go to the county’s election offices and fix the problem in person, or vote with a provisional ballot on election day.

More: https://citizenfreepress.com/breaking/deep-dive-on-new-texas-voting-law/

[Fishrrman]

"By-mail voting" in the United States should be banned via Constitutional amendment. Simply not permitted -- with very very few exceptions.

My proposed voting amendment:
========================
This Constitution prescribes that only citizens may vote in all elections conducted within the United States. This includes elections for federal offices of The United States, elections for State offices in the Several States, and all municipal and local elections conducted within the borders of The United States.

Elections will be conducted only on Election Day as prescribed by this Constitution.

All ballots in all elections will be paper ballots cast by individual voters at their respective polling locations. Electronic means may be used to tabulate vote counts.

Provisional ballots of any kind are prohibited by this Constitution.

The use of the United States Mail shall not be permitted for the collection of ballots, with the exception of absentee ballots.

There shall be no use of absentee ballots without the presentation of individual need, subject to strict scrutiny by the registrar of voters.

All citizens of the United States will be required to produce identification before voting.

[Free Vulcan]

A good start and a good compliment to voter ID at the polls.

If you aren't willing to get off your butt and provide an ID number with your mail-in in the two year period between general elections, then tough taters if your vote doesn't get counted.

No vote should count that has questionable chain of custody. No more 3 a.m. fake ballot dumps.

[Ghost Bear]

Texas flagged 27,000 mail ballots for rejection

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More than 27,000 mail ballots in Texas were flagged for rejection in the first test of new voting restrictions enacted across the U.S., jeopardizing protecting votes cast by Democrats and Republicans alike and in counties big and small, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Fixed that for you, AP.