Close to 6,000 sign petition for no-excuse vote-by-mail for upcoming Texas elections

AUSTIN, Texas - This week seven people have reportedly contracted COVID-19 from Election Day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Close to 6,000 people have signed a petition from Progress Texas calling on Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs, and Attorney General Ken Paxton to institute no-excuse vote-by-mail for the state’s upcoming elections.

RELATED: Travis County judge expands mail-in vote, but ruling may be overturned

Last week a Travis County District Court Judge ruled that Texas voters could mail in their votes during COVID-19. 

Progress Texas executive director Ed Espinoza says no one should be forced to choose between their health and right to vote. 

Espinoza says Texas is one of seven states that have an age restriction for vote-by-mail. In Texas, anyone age 65 and up can vote from home. 

Last week Attorney General Ken Paxton says “mail ballots based on disability are specifically reserved for those who are physically ill. Fear of contracting COVID-19 doesn’t amount to a sickness or physical condition required by legislation.” On Tuesday he retweeted Texas GOP sharing how prevalent voter fraud is by mail.

Espinoza says, “Our message to the governor, attorney general and Secretary of State is that let’s stop thinking about Democrats and Republicans let’s think about democracy. And what’s good for the health and safety for our people.”

Espinoza says if he were Attorney General, he wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the fact that a highly contagious virus that has required extreme action for Texans to try and get on top of and even when this state reopens, there isn't a vaccine or a way to avoid it altogether.

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