Thread by @chucklindell

US judge in San Antonio REQUIRES all voters, poll workers, and poll watchers in Texas to wear a mask at voting locations. Judge, a Trump appointee, VOIDS portion of Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate that exempted polling places.
More to come.

Judge says exempting those who are “voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poll watcher, or actively administering an election” from compliance with the statewide mask mandate violates the Voting Rights Act "because it creates a discriminatory burden on Black and Latino voters."

Judge initially dismissed the original lawsuit, which sought a long list of poll safety improvements.
5th Circuit Court upheld that ruling but returned case for 1 issue: whether the mask exemption violated the Voting Rights Act.
It does, Judge Jason Pulliam says.

Like all rulings that have gone against Texas, this will be appealed to the 5th Circuit by AG Ken Paxton, who has a string of victories this election season at the conservative appeals court.

Read the ruling here: freespeechforpeople.org/wp-content/upl…

Federal judge requires face coverings in all Texas polling locations, the developing story at:
statesman.com/news/20201028/…

Finally had time to check the case file, and Texas AG Ken Paxton has already filed a notice of appeal. So yes, the scene now shifts to the 5th Circuit Court.

In emergency motion, AG Ken Paxton asks 5th Circuit Court to block the ruling on mandatory face coverings in polling places, saying it will force voters to choose between wearing a mask or losing their right to vote:

The 5th Circuit Court STAYS ruling requiring face masks in Texas polling places.
It's a short-term administrative stay to give court time to weigh AG Paxton's motion for a stay pending appeal (or a stay until the appeals court decides whether to uphold or overrule the order).

Stay order: ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/2…