As coronavirus cases surge around the world, health officials are strongly encouraging “social distancing” to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus. Unfortunately, public voting locations and the related technology may interact with hundreds, if not thousands, of people through the course of a given day. This results in voting centers becoming possible epicenters of viral transmission.

Currently, the State of Texas has restrictions on the ability to receive ballots and vote by mail. Namely, you must be over age 65, disabled, or out of your county of residence during the entirety of early voting and election day. The application for ballot by mail doesn't provide for pandemics or emergency health situations.

This petition demands that our elected officials in the State of Texas take immediate action to: (i) eliminate any and all barriers for registered voters to receive ballots by mail and vote via mail for all elections occurring after April 19, 2020, and (ii) fully fund emergency measures that empower counties to properly address the voting rights and needs of the People during the coronavirus outbreak.