Thread by @TexasTribune

.@GovAbbott ordered Texas counties to reduce the number of ballot dropoff locations to one per county. An unprecedented number of absentee ballots are expected to be cast this fall.

Civil rights groups say it's an attempt to suppress voting. bit.ly/2Snwm9n

Harris County, the state’s most populous and a major Democratic stronghold, had designated a dozen locations where voters could deliver their own ballots — and already began collecting them this week.

In Travis County, also a major Democratic stronghold, officials had designated four locations where voters could deliver their ballots.

Abbott described his proclamation as an effort to “strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state.”

A spokesman has not responded to questions about how allowing multiple drop off locations might lead to fraud.

Drop-off locations, advocates say, are particularly important given concerns about Postal Service delays, especially for disabled voters or those without access to reliable transportation. bit.ly/2Gs0ZrP

The move by the governor "raises a real concern that people are going to have just one more barrier to successfully submitting their ballot,” barriers that will disproportionately hurt voters of color and those with disabilities, said Mimi Marziani, president of @TXCivilRights.

Earlier this week, Houston Republicans asked the Texas Supreme Court to limit in-person and absentee voting options for Harris County voters during the pandemic. bit.ly/3jp3OZ2

Abbott also announced that election clerks may collect absentee ballots only if they also permit poll watchers to observe the delivery of those ballots.

Background on poll watchers here, via @KUT: bit.ly/3cMzNjD