Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Texas has seen a head-spinning barrage of voting-related lawsuits in recent months, and the state — particularly Harris County — has become the epicenter of a voting rights battle.

Here is what voters need to know.

2/ In Harris County, Republican leaders and activists have churned out lawsuits, unsubstantiated specters of voter fraud and official state orders in their bid to halt expanded voting access during the pandemic. bit.ly/2J9b7XB

3/ Control of the White House depends on Republican domination of Texas and, in turn, containing a voting surge in Harris County — the nation's third most populous county, which is only solidifying as a Democratic stronghold. bit.ly/3kAegh2

4/ Earlier this month, the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court blocked Harris County from sending mail-in ballot applications to all 2.4 million of its voters after lower courts with Democratic judges ruled in favor of the county’s plan. bit.ly/35EYzic

5/ Unlike other states, Texas hasn’t expanded voting by mail during the pandemic.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected state Democrats' bid to allow all Texas voters to request absentee ballots if they fear catching COVID-19 at crowded polling places. bit.ly/2HzQX8t

6/ In July, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the early voting period by six days.

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against several GOP officials who sued to keep early voting to a two-week period during the pandemic. bit.ly/3oHzhss

7/ That meant early voting could run from Oct. 13 until Oct. 30 in Texas.

Tomorrow (Oct. 30) is the last day to vote early in Texas.

Polling sites can be found on the Texas secretary of state’s website. teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

8/ On Oct. 1, Gov. Abbott limited counties to just one location for dropping off absentee ballots, a rebuke to some large, Democratic counties that had set up multiple locations in what officials called an effort to maximize voter convenience. bit.ly/35O8odQ

9/ Gov. Abbott's order was challenged in state and federal court. Lower courts ruled to allow multiple drop-off locations, but a federal appeals court and the Texas Supreme Court reversed the rulings, halting the reopening of additional locations. bit.ly/35LaN9l

10/ In another attempt to expand voting access, Harris County has set up 10 drive-thru polling locations available to all voters.

Last week, the Republican parties of Texas and Harris County tried — and failed — to close the sites. bit.ly/34zinod

11/ A court ruled last week that Texas can keep rejecting mail-in ballots over mismatched signatures without giving voters a chance to appeal.

If you’re voting by mail, make sure the signature on your ballot envelope matches the one on your application. bit.ly/3mpi2u4

12/ The state election code does not establish any standards for signature review, which is conducted by local election officials who seldom have training in signature verification. bit.ly/3mpi2u4

13/ A state appeals court ruled Friday that Texas voters who get sick shortly before Election Day and can't go to the polls will still need a doctor’s note before they can get an emergency absentee ballot, even during the pandemic. bit.ly/2HywzET

14/ If you have COVID-19 — or symptoms — you can request an emergency absentee ballot with a doctor’s note or use curbside voting. For more details about curbside and emergency absentee voting eligibility requirements, contact your local elections office. bit.ly/2TsRWtY

15/15 Check out our voting guide to find out more about polling locations, deadlines and what to expect when voting during the pandemic in Texas.

The last day to vote early is Friday, Oct. 30.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

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