Mail-in election ballots and safety at the polls discussed

WAXAHACHIE – The idea of mail-in ballots has been under great debate lately due to COVID-19. Some voters were of the mind mail-in ballots were the only safe way to go.

Other voters said no – heading to the polls is the only way to vote unless there are unusual circumstances.

Ellis County Commissioner Paul Perry, pct. 3, said he is opposed to the expansion of mail-in voting.

“We have gone to countries and fought for open elections, so we don’t need to be intimidated by a virus that individuals can take precautions against before voting at a polling location,” Perry said.

The Texas Supreme Court did recently make a ruling that not having an immunity to COVID-19 does not qualify a voter to apply for a mail-in ballot.

The court agreed with Texas Attorney Ken Paxton that just having the risk of contracting COVID-19 does not give a voter the qualification needed by the state to vote by mail.

“We agree with the State that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19, without more, is not a ‘disability’ as defined by the Election Code,” the court wrote.

The only voters who are eligible to vote by a mail-in ballot are those who are 65 years old or older, those residents with an illness or disability, residents out of the country during the election time period, or those residents in jail. 

The Texas Democratic Party made comment on the Texas Supreme Court ruling regarding a vote by mail option.

“One group of executive branch officials argued with another at the Texas Supreme Court today while the Texas Democratic Party, civil rights organizations, and voters were shut out of the hearing,” said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.

“One thing is clear; Texas law does not clearly and explicitly require citizens to endanger their health to vote. 

“The Texas Supreme Court should stop Ken Paxton from trying to make criminals of people who simply wish to vote safely. In the meantime, the federal courts should continue to ensure that the U.S. Constitution continues in force in our state.”

Ellis County Elections Administrator Jana Onyon said first and foremost no matter the party affiliation, “Voter and poll worker safety at the polls is our top priority in Ellis County. We want to keep everyone safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Onyon said the last few months have been unusual with moving dates of elections, adding days to early voting, and preparing for the poll place with health safety while still having the unknowns and changes each day. 

“Our office is committed to providing safe and accessible voting with the same security and integrity we have always provided during an election.”

Onyon concluded, “Processes completed according to the Election Code have not changed and will still be implemented during each election. We are just working with stronger health protocols than we have before for the voter and for the poll worker’s safety. We ask Ellis County voters to join us and participate with our voter health protocols to continue to make our county safer during this voting season.”

The same procedures in place for the July Primary Runoff election will also be in place in the November election unless the courts rule differently or if CDC changes the guidelines.