Secretary of State Ashcroft Files Amicus Brief Defending Texas Election Bill

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft recently filed an amicus brief with the federal court in Texas, defending that State’s Election Integrity Protection Act which was passed by the Texas legislature in August and signed into law in September.

The Texas bill requires voters who cast mail-in ballots provide some form of identification. The bill also bans 24-hour voting, imposes restrictions on drive-through voting and ballot harvesting, and prohibits election officials from sending unsolicited mail-in ballot applications.

The legislation was challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming the measure will disenfranchise voters.

In the amicus curiae brief, Ashcroft argues the Texas law made appropriate, much needed changes to improve election integrity without infringing on the ability of eligible Texans to vote.

Ashcroft is working with Missouri legislators to pass election integrity legislation in the 2022 session that would strengthen elections and voting in Missouri, saying the Texas legislation could be a model for other state on election reform measures.