Tribune. President Trump has been attacking for months the “risk” that the postal vote poses to the integrity of the election. Despite the tiny number of double votes and proven identity thefts (372 since 2016), his rhetoric allows local authorities to justify restrictions on postal voting, which 60% of Democratic voters – but only 28% of Republicans – say they want to choose this year.
Twenty-five days before the election, the Republican authorities remain diligent in their refusal to facilitate postal voting in the face of the pandemic. Thus, Texas is one of the only states not to accept the fear of being contaminated by Covid-19 as a reason for voting by mail. At the risk of creating clusters in the polling stations, like what happened during the Wisconsin primary. The Texas Republican Party also appealed unsuccessfully for the opening of polling stations six days earlier than in 2016.
1er October, State Governor George Abbott announced to reduce the number of postal ballot drop-off points to keep only one per county until polling stations open, mid -October. Texas has 254 counties, and therefore as many drop-off points spread over 695,662 km2. But unequal access to these points undermines the principle of “One man, one vote” established by the Supreme Court in 1964. Thus, the 134 inhabitants of Loving County get a deposit, as do the 4.7 million inhabitants of Harris County which covers the city of Houston.
Concerns among Democrats
This measure is particularly aimed at Democrats. By closing dozens of points, the governor wishes to limit the progress of Democrats in the rather moderate affluent suburbs, and, above all, to contain a strong participation in the poorer suburbs and the cities, today acquired to the Democrats. Moreover, this activism targets minorities disproportionately: 25% of black Texans live in Harris County, like a majority of the Hispanic population split between Harris and the vast border counties of Mexico.
These voters are also targeted by the obligation to vote to present a driver’s license – there is no identity card in the United States – the financial cost of which, added to the fear of the authorities, keeps it out. scope for many. The Republican Governor of Ohio has also limited the number of drop-off points. For its part, Florida is blocking the extension of the right to vote to 1.4 million former criminals, despite a favorable referendum in 2018.
You have 47.19% of this article to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
