Thread by @TexasTribune

NEW: Texas counties may collect mail-in ballots at only one location, a federal appeals court ruled late Monday, once again upholding an order from Gov. Greg Abbott that restricts voting options. bit.ly/3lDprWr

Abbott in July acted to lengthen the early voting period and allow voters to deliver completed absentee ballots in person for longer than the normal period.

But after large Democratic counties including Harris and Travis established several sites where voters could deliver their ballots, Abbott ordered Oct. 1 that they would be limited to one.

A number of civil rights groups sued in at least four lawsuits, calling the order an act of voter suppression that would disproportionately impact low-income voters, voters with disabilities, older voters and voters of color in Democratic counties.

Abbott claimed the limits on drop-off sites were necessary to ensure election integrity, but he provided no evidence that the sites enable voter fraud, and Texas voters must present an approved form of identification to deliver their mail-in ballots. bit.ly/3lN30OJ

A federal judge on Friday sided with the civil rights groups. But a three-judge panel on the conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted that ruling on Saturday and on Monday gave a more formal word on the matter in a written opinion. bit.ly/2SS8qeB

Early voting in Texas runs today (Oct. 13) through Oct. 30.

Voting rights groups say Texas’ last-minute changes to the voting process have created confusion and reflect state officials’ hostility toward voting accessibility. bit.ly/3iYqzSG

Here's more information on how to vote by mail in Texas: bit.ly/3nVVB1o

And here's our complete guide to voting in Texas in the general election: bit.ly/33QsKlB