The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a Texas election law known as S.B. 1111, which aims to ensure that Texans vote in the correct precinct corresponding to their current residence. The law has been defended by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and its affirmation by the Supreme Court has been met with celebration.
Chance Weldon, Director of Litigation at TPPF, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating, "Texans should celebrate that S.B. 1111 will continue to remain in effect. It’s an important tool to help ensure that Texans are voting in the correct precinct, so ineligible votes are not nullifying eligible votes."
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent refusal to hear a challenge against S.B. 1111 has solidified the law's standing. The legislation requires voters, particularly those who have used non-residential addresses such as post-office boxes for registration, to confirm their residence within the precinct. It also prohibits the use of business addresses or former residences for registration.
Autumn Hamit Patterson, a Senior Attorney at TPPF, commended the Supreme Court's decision, stating, "This is a great result. The U.S. Supreme Court correctly recognized that there’s no reason to review the Fifth Circuit’s opinion."
The law came under scrutiny when a lawsuit was filed in 2021 with the intention of invalidating it. However, the Fifth Circuit, after hearing arguments from the TPPF and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, upheld S.B. 1111. Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan commented on the decision, saying, "We agree with Texas that Plaintiffs lack organizational standing," leading to the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims.
Despite the dismissal, the plaintiffs continued their challenge and petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a review. However, the TPPF and the Texas Attorney General’s Office recommended that the Supreme Court deny the review. On October 2, the Supreme Court made the decision to reject the petition, solidifying the affirmation of S.B. 1111.
With the Supreme Court's affirmation of S.B. 1111, Texans can continue to rely on the law to ensure that their votes are cast in the correct precincts. The law's supporters believe that it is a crucial measure to prevent ineligible votes from nullifying eligible ones, further strengthening the integrity of the election process in Texas.
