Derecho al voto

El voto y el derecho para votar son el cimiento de la democracia. A ningún votante legítimo se le debe negar la oportunidad de que su voz sea escuchada. Y ningún votante debe tener miedo a votar debido a los intimidantes observadores en las casillas o por la amenaza de ir a prisión al cometer un error honesto.

Voting Rights and the ACLU of Texas

What you need to know

18 million

Texas now has more than 18 million registered voters.

44%

Areas with large Black populations in Harris County were 44% more likely to have ballots rejected than heavily white areas in the first major election since the passage of Texas’ voter suppression law. (New York Times)

65

The age at which all Texans are eligible to vote by mail.

Voting and the right to vote are a bedrock of democracy. No rightful voter should be denied the opportunity to make their voice heard. And no voter should be afraid to vote because of intimidating poll watchers or the threat of going to jail for making an honest mistake.

Yet, Texas is one of the most difficult places to cast a ballot — and Texas politicians continue to make voting even harder. In 2021, lawmakers passed legislation that added unnecessary obstacles to voting; limited early voting; empowered poll watchers to disrupt polling places; created a host of new criminal laws to intimidate participation in the voting process; and erected barriers to helping voters with disabilities and those who need language assistance. New vote-by-mail rules have already caused mail ballot applications to be rejected, especially among Black voters.

The ACLU of Texas fights these anti-voter laws in the legislature and in court. We advocate for fair electoral maps that don't dilute the voting power of communities of color. We represent people caught up in the legal system because of harsh penalties for, at worst, honest mistakes while voting. We work with partners to run the largest non-partisan poll-monitoring program in the state. We join millions of Texans in the fight to ensure that someday, every Texan’s voice will be heard.

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The Latest

Press Release

ACLU of Texas Responds to Governor’s Attempt to Expel Democratically Elected Lawmaker

Issue Areas: Derecho al voto
Press Release

ACLU of Texas, Partners Oppose Controversial Voter Suppression Bill

Issue Areas: Derecho al voto
News & Commentary

To My Fellow Texans

No matter how hard they try to divide us, we will not abandon each other. We’ve come too far.
Press Release

Crystal Mason Asks Highest Criminal Court to Affirm Acquittal

Issue Areas: Derecho al voto
Court Case
Sep 12, 2023

OCA-Greater Houston, et al. v. Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, et al.

Court Case
Nov 19, 2021

Fair Maps Texas Action Committee et al. v. Abbott et al

Court Case
Nov 02, 2020

Hotze v. Hollins

Court Case
Apr 02, 2020

Texas Democratic Party et al v. Debeauvoir & State of Texas

A lawsuit seeking to declare that, under Texas law, all registered voters qualify to request a mail-in ballot as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis.