Texas can no longer investigate alleged cases of vote harvesting, federal judge says

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Texas Tribune

Sept. 28, 2024 11 hours ago


A federal judge ruled on Saturday that part of a Texas law that enacted new voting restrictions violated the U.S. Constitution by being too vague and restricting free speech.

The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, immediately halted the state’s ability to investigate alleged cases of vote harvesting, such as the investigation into the League of United Latin American Citizens by Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Before today’s ruling, a person who knowingly provided or offered vote harvesting services in exchange for compensation was committing a third-degree felony. This meant that organizers of voter outreach organizations and even volunteers could spend up to ten years in prison and fined up to $10,000 for giving or offering these services.

According to Republican lawmakers, the provision was put in place to prevent voter fraud and secure election integrity. However, in the ruling, the judge noted that there was widespread confusion about how to implement the canvassing restriction from local election administrators. This confusion also left voter outreach organizations uncertain about whether they could provide volunteers with food or bus fare because it could look like compensation.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/28/texas-vote-harvesting-law-unconstitutional/

[Novara]

1. There's no such thing

Other than in their fevered brains.

who knowingly provided or offered vote harvesting services in exchange for compensation

Nobody is soliciting "vote harvesting." There have always been people who do voter outreach and people who help others vote who need assistance. There's no such thing as "vote harvesting." Calling it such is voter intimidation, if you ask me.

It infuriates me that they pass these bullshit laws that are intentionally vague, only as intimidation tactics. And it pisses me off that it works. We have doctors who now won't save a pregnant woman's life because they're afraid of being sued. We have people who legitimately help those who need assistance to vote, afraid to help.

This is bullying through legislation. And if you ask me, it's a form of terrorism, which is designed precisely to make people afraid.

[Demovictory9]

2. Not even exists in their fevered brain..invented to supress the vote

[Novara]

3. You're right - completely fabricated.

But isn't it interesting that most actual election fraud is committed by republicans?

[Igel]

9. It's also called "vote gathering."

And many states and state actors have used both terms, some (R) and some (D), when it's suited them.

California regulates this apparently non-existent thing by saying one can't collect compensation and there's no limit on the number of ballots. But the non-existent vote-gathering helper (doing it just because the Universe decreed it) must include personal ID on the return envelope, name/address/phone.

[LeftInTX]

10. Actually, you do need some accountability. As someone who works campaigns, I know who the Republicans are.

Last edited Mon Sep 30, 2024, 01:25 AM - Edit history (1)

All you gotta do is get a bunch of their ballots and then throw them away. We've seen it on DU where they do it to Democrats. We've seen voter registration applications tossed. In one case I believe a poster worker dumped an entire bin into a ditch.

This may seem like nickles and dimes, but if it's a city council or school board race, it can make or break a race.

So, it's good you need an ID if you are gathering ballots.

When we register voters, we give a receipt to the voter. It's a misdemeanor if you fail to return a voter registration. (Although I'm sure there are exceptions such as illness etc)

[marble falls]

4. What happens when there is investigation into a vague crime that isn't specifically against the law ...

... Or investigation into unreported crimes that is purely fishing exercise for vague crime accusitions with reports made, or to use criminal investigation into vague suspicions purely to suppress the vote.

[LeftInTX]

5. Quite an intense ruling!

The judge wrote it so it should hold up against the 5th Circuit. He seemed to cover all of his angles. I'm not quite sure what all of this means. However, I know that Texas law is often poorly written and crafted by loons.

[FakeNoose]

6. Thank you Judge Rodriguez!

[republianmushroom]

7. Slap, slap, now pay attention, Ken Paxton.

[Martin68]

8. Good to hear there was an honest judge.

[LeftInTX]

11. Paxton got his buddies on the 5th Court of Appeals to reverse the district judge's restraining order.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/5th%20Circuit%20SB1%20Stay%20Order.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

[BumRushDaShow]

12. So far only one news source has it which is Bloomberg Law

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/texas-secures-fifth-circuit-stay-to-resume-vote-harvesting-probe

I have a sub to regular Bloomberg but not the law one so hopefully some other sources will pick it up overnight or regular Bloomberg News will.

Thanks for the heads up!

[LeftInTX]

13. I knew he would do this. However, Judge Rodriguez's TRO was very in-depth.

The 5th Court of Appeals only responded with a single paragraph.

_

I hope some of the plaintiffs can sue Paxton over this. Seriously. They impounded all of Manuel Medina's campaign equipment. He can't use it for Cecilia Castellano's campaign. (He's her campaign manager) This is "election interference" . Paxton is trying to flip that seat.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. And here it is as of 6:18 am ET and still nothing yet

except one source (now outside of LBN criteria) - https://legalnewsline.com/stories/664786911-court-grants-temporary-stay-on-texas-election-integrity-law-injunction

I'll keep checking...

[LeftInTX]

15. Well, if you wanna link....but it's guaranteed to get tomatoes thrown!

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-temporarily-stops-injunction-blocked-texas-election-integrity-law-and

[BumRushDaShow]

16. I have that

but I don't know if that will pass muster for LBN posting which is geared for "media" (I often include ancillary links like that in the OP comments as a press release, etc.).

[BumRushDaShow]

17. And I *finally* found a source in TX that had it

Tiny Gilmer, TX (the Upshur County seat) and their newspaper - https://www.gilmermirror.com/2024/10/05/ruling-that-found-part-of-texas-vote-harvesting-law-unconstitutional-temporarily-blocked/

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143317853

Looks like that is near the often-floody Texarkana area and 3 other states.