Texas has rejected thousands of mail-in ballots and mail-in ballot applications, citing the requirements in the state’s controversial new election law. The state’s largest county is now asking the Biden administration to weigh in.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is asking the Justice Department to intervene because of what she called “an alarmingly high number of vote-by-mail applications and ballots that have been flagged for rejection during this year’s primary election.” due to hurdles set up by Texas’ new election law.
That includes more than a third of all mail-in ballots the county had received as of Tuesday. Hidalgo charged the law was designed to systematically suppress the vote in Harris County.
Early voting in Texas’ 2022 primary has been underway since Monday. Top of the ballot this year is the election for governor, with Gov. Greg Abbott seeking a third term.