Statement Regarding the Fifth Circuit’s Ruling Overturning Lower Court, Reinstating Restrictive, Discriminatory Voting Law
Texas Impact Executive Director Bee Moorhead released the following statement regarding the Fifth Circuit’s ruling
Texas Impact Executive Director Bee Moorhead released the following statement regarding the Fifth Circuit’s ruling:
“In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed one of its most anti-democratic election laws. We made clear then and reaffirm now that this law severely restricts Texans’ voting rights. By overturning the lower court’s ruling related to mail ballots and other voter assistance, Texas voters will face disenfranchisement.
“Free, fair elections, including the right of every citizen to cast a ballot that is duly counted, form the bedrock of our democracy. Voting rights are referred to as ‘the right preservative of all others,’ since only through voting can the people of a community peaceably remove leaders who seek to oppress them.
“Texas elections have long been recognized as safe and secure. The suggestion by the Fifth Circuit that ‘mail ballots are a threat to democracy’ is especially alarming. Such a statement is not grounded in facts. Time and again, nonpartisan reviews have found no evidence that mail-in voting leads to widespread voter fraud.
“Restrictions on assistance for voters with disabilities are a rejection of the whole principle of fairness as well as a repudiation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the generational work that the faith and disability communities have undertaken to ensure that every citizen can cast their vote and participate in our democracy.
“Texas faith communities are part of the bedrock of our state, and it’s our responsibility to amplify the voices of Texans of faith to protect voting rights in our communities. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling, while deeply disappointing, will not silence or stop our work.”
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Texas Impact is a religious grassroots network whose members include individuals, congregations, and governing bodies of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths. Texas Impact exists to advance state public policies that are consistent with the shared values of Texas faith communities.