Tag: texas
-
Texas Democrats appeal absentee voting decision to U.S. Supreme Court
On June 16, the Democratic Party of Texas appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court an appellate court order staying a district court decision that had extended absentee voting eligibility in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On May 19, Judge Samuel Frederick Biery of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ordered that…
-
New Harris County Clerk takes office
Christopher Hollins (D) assumed office as Harris County Clerk in Texas on June 1, replacing former clerk Diane Trautman (D) following her resignation. The county commissioners court appointed Hollins to the position on May 19 after Trautman announced her resignation earlier in the month. Trautman resigned due to concern regarding her ability to perform the…
-
Texas Supreme Court rules that a voter’s lack of immunity does not qualify as a disability for absentee voting purposes
On May 27, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability under the state’s election laws and, therefore, cannot be cited as an excuse for voting absentee. The court ruled unanimously on the matter. Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote the following in the…
-
Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann tests positive for COVID-19
On May, 21, 2020, Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann announced she tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Lehrmann made the announcement on Twitter, noting that her husband had also tested positive. Justices on the Texas Supreme Court are working remotely during the pandemic. Lehrmann is the first statewide Texas…
-
Filing deadline approaches for Texas State Senate District 14 special election
Candidates interested in running in the special election for Texas State Senate District 14 have until May 13, 2020, to file. The special general election is scheduled for July 14, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Greg Abbott (R) scheduled the election for July instead of May 2, when it would normally have been…
-
President Trump announces two judicial nominees
On April 29, President Donald Trump (R) announced two nominees to Article III federal judicial positions. Article III federal judges are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and serve for life. The nominees include: Aileen Mercedes Cannon, nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida James Wesley Hendrix, nominee…