TEXAS SUPREME COURT

The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Jan Soifer halts investigations against three families who sued.

Judge Jan Soifer found "sufficient reason to believe that the plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable injury" if the investigations were allowed to proceed.

The ruling doesn’t apply to all families, but does halt investigations into some families as the case continues.

The temporary restraining order halts investigations against three families who sued.

A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender confirming care.

The mother of one of the teens said her son attempted suicide and was hospitalized the day Gov. Abbott issued his directive.

The court did not rule on the merits of the investigations, only that lower courts in Texas overstepped by trying to block all cases

The state’s high court allowed the investigations to continue but said the Texas Department of Family Protective Services is not bound by Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Paxton’s orders.

The ruling overturns an injunction barring state officials from following Abbott's directive to view treatments such as hormones and puberty-blocking drugs as incidents of child abuse.

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a case between Harris County Election Administrator Isabel Longoria and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

An appellate court on Thursday dismissed a 35-year-old man’s appeal in a “sudden passion” murder case because his appellate attorneys did not comply with deadlines to perfect an appeal for the conviction.

Then, on March 14, 2020, a slew of events in Hidalgo County were canceled. Three days later, on March 17, 2020, the Hidalgo County Board of Judges suspended jury panels in the wake of the initial seven-day disaster declaration from Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. But on that day, there was not yet a single confirmed case of COVID-19 in Hidalgo County though Tamaulipas health officials announced its first confirmed case. A little more than a month later, on April 24, 2020, two years ago today, just four people in Hidalgo County, 14 in Cameron County and one in Willacy County had died from the virus. As of Friday, 3,898 people have lost their lives to the virus and there are 128,001 confirmed cases, according to a Hidalgo County news release.

The Texas law bans abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

The ruling is the latest defeat for Texas abortion providers, which have now lost at both the U.S. Supreme Court and the state's highest court.

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday paved the way for the nation's toughest abortion law to...

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that state officials do not have the ability to enforce the state's six-week abortion ban, effectively ending providers' case challenging the law.Driving the news: Because the law was written so private citizens could enforce it, the court wrote, "Texas law does not grant the state-agency executives named as defendants in this case any authority to enforce the Act’s requirements, either directly or indirectly." Stay on top of the latest market trends and e

Houston City Council earmarked an additional $175,000 on Wednesday to fight the fire...

DECISION 2022: Texas judicial primary election results, from the state Supreme Court to district judges

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week on the question of whether state regulators can be sued by abortion providers hoping to block enforcement of the state’s restrictive abortion law[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

With the increase in eviction filings comes crowded courtrooms, despite the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht talks to Houston Public Media about his recent New York Times op-ed praising Texas' eviction protections, and his goal for courts going back to normal.

The move means the Texas ban is likely to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the latest setback for abortion rights in Texas, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to speed up the ongoing court case over the state's ban on most abortions.Over dissents from[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

In the latest setback for abortion rights in Texas, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused...

The move means the Texas ban is likely to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

In the latest setback for abortion rights in Texas, the Supreme Court has refused to speed up the ongoing court case over the state’s ban on most abortions.

In the latest setback for abortion rights in Texas, the Supreme Court has refused to speed up the ongoing court case over the state’s ban on most abortions.

Federal appeals court sends case against them to state's Supreme Court, which is controlled entirely by Republican justices.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision means it could take months before abortion providers’ challenge to the restrictive law returns to a federal court.

HARLINGEN — The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit charging the city’s new single-member district boundaries unconstitutionally moved thousands of District 2 registered voters into District 3, denying their right to vote for commissioner in the May election. “Obviously, we are disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision and do not agree with it,” Uhlhorn, Meade and their wives stated. “We suspect the court felt there was just too little time to decide such an important voting rights issue. “The justices of the Texas Supreme Court decided this morning that they will not get involved in the dispute regarding district boundaries for Harlingen city commissioners including the May 7 election of commissioners for Districts 1 and 2,” they stated. “Because of those differences, we were hopeful that the justices on the Supreme Court would be willing to intervene and protect our constitutional right to vote,” they argued.

On Wednesday, Puente stood by the city’s new single-member district boundary lines, arguing the courts have ruled such plans constitutional. In their statement, they accuse Uribe, Puente and Perez of redrawing the city’s district map’s boundaries to expand their voter base. It happens every 10 years all over the country after a Census is conducted.”Meanwhile, Mayor Chris Boswell said he supports arguments made by Uhlhorn, Meade and their wives. “As I understand it, the relief being sought is to restore the right of disenfranchised voters in the district,” he said. “Of course, I support that position.”In their lawsuit, Uhlhorn, Meade and their wives argue Uribe, Puente and Perez denied them their right vote based on the City Charter and the city’s redistricting plan.

The ruling means the new maps, which could increase the Harris County Commissioners Court’s Democratic majority, will stand for the 2022 election.

Texas’ new abortion law returns to federal appeals court Friday, where judges will consider if doctors can be disciplined for performing abortions.

Young replaces former Justice Eva Guzman, who resigned in June ahead of a campaign for attorney general.

The halt comes after Gov. Greg Abbott expanded his ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates — which previously applied to cities, counties and school districts — to private employers.

By Reese Oxner, The Texas TribuneThe Texas Supreme Court denied a request Monday from Planned Parenthood to resume its lawsuit, filed in a state district court, that challenges the state’s near-total abortion ban. The panel of five judges stopped the cases from continuing at the request of Texas Right to Life, a prominent anti-abortion organization that helped draft Texas’ abortion restrictions. The suit filed by Planned Parenthood asked the court to declare the abortion law, which bans the procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, unconstitutional. In that case, the court temporarily blocked Texas Right to Life from being able to sue Planned Parenthood for potential violations of the abortion law. Texas Right to Life applauded the Texas Supreme Court’s decision.

Planned Parenthood had requested that the court reverse a decision to indefinitely pause the lawsuit, which was filed in Travis County district court.

A panel of five judges indefinitely blocked the lawsuits last week upon the request of an anti-abortion group.

John Ramirez was scheduled to die Wednesday. His last request to the state had been to let his pastor hold on to him as he died, something the state denied. The high court wants to hear oral arguments on the matter later this year.

PRESIDIO COUNTY –– In a meeting last Thursday, the Marfa Independent School District Board decided to not go through with a mask mandate on campus. There is a caveat though: If the school shuts down from a COVID outbreak, then Superintendent Oscar Aguero has the authority to temporarily require masks once school returns in person.

The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked San Antonio’s mask mandate for public schools Thursday — the latest in the tug-of-war legal battle between local governments and the state’s Republican leadership over mandatory face coverings.

The legal battle over whether Texas communities can require students and others to wear masks in response to the current surge in COVID-19 cases remains entangled in a series of lawsuits, orders and appeals.

"Massive resistance" to mask mandates and vaccinations is taking a heavy economic toll on the state, experts say.

Enforcement in the state’s public school systems of Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates has been dropped, for now, the Texas Education Agency said Thursday.

The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday evening denied Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to stay temporary restraining orders blocking the governor's directive. At around the same time, the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals upheld an injunction against Abbott on behalf of San Antonio and Bexar County over their mask mandate in schools.

The judge reasoned that Governor Abbott did not have the enforcement authority to ban mask mandates "against Texas independent school districts."

Public schools in the state will no longer be barred from mandating face masks — for now.

COVID-19 is surging again in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive. Hospitalizations are increasing faster than at any other time. Local officials and school leaders are rebelling against Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. Here’s the latest.

Public schools in the state will no longer be barred from mandating face masks — for now.

San Marcos Consolidated ISD’s mask mandate can temporarily remain in place after the Texas Supreme Court declined to block restraining orders against Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask mandate ban on Thursday.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Breaking News, News, News - Mobile, News Alert San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The court denied a request from the state to stop the mandates by undoing temporary restraining orders granted by lower courts.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott wanted the high court to disallow mask mandates in Texas school districts. Justices dismissed their request on a technicality, without issuing a ruling on their legal arguments.

The Texas Supreme Court denied a motion for relief filed on behalf of Gov. Greg Abbott, thus allowing a temporary restraining order against his mask mandate ban to stand.

Today, experts discuss Texas politics, as the state makes national headlines for what’s going on in the legislature, voting rights, mask mandate bans and more. Plus, the White House announces a COVID vaccine booster plan.

As the new school year begins for Texas students and mask mandates are debated in various state courts, at least four school districts have already closed campuses due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

In a bid to block a voting restrictions bill, House Democrats for weeks have denied the lower chamber the number of present members needed to pass legislation. House Speaker Dade Phelan has already signed dozens of civil arrest warrants.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday evening the state's House Democrats can be arrested if they don't attend the state Capitol due to their efforts to stop a Republican push to pass voting restrictions.Why it matters: While the court has already blocked lower court orders in Travis and Harris counties protecting the Democrats, this ruling stipulates that under the state Constitution House leaders can compel members to attend the chamber to conduct legislative business. Consequently, those who

Although thousands of Rio Grande Valley students returned to class with school-mandated masks in place Monday, it’s doubtful the struggle between Gov. Seven Valley school districts — La Joya, Hidalgo, Edinburg, Brownsville, Edcouch-Elsa, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo and Lasara — sued the governor last week and announced plans to require students, staff and visitor wear masks at the beginning of the fall semester. On the other hand, a Texas Supreme Court decision over the weekend temporarily abolished mask mandates in Dallas and Bexar counties. “The school districts respectfully request the Court deny the State’s presumptuous and premature request,” a document filed by the district’s attorney Monday reads. Also Tuesday, the McAllen school district outlined its compliance with last week’s county health order mandating masks in schools.

In a bid to block a voting restrictions bill, House Democrats for weeks have denied the lower chamber the number of present members needed to pass legislation. House Speaker Dade Phelan has already signed dozens of civil arrest warrants.

The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday temporarily blocked mask mandates in Dallas and Bexar counties, marking a pivotal moment in the showdown between state and local government as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge in Texas. The ruling comes after several school districts and a handful of counties across the state defied Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive […]

Governor Greg Abbott has the numbers on his side when it comes to the Texas Supreme Court and his executive order instituting mask mandates, according to KPRC 2 Legal Analyst Brian Wice,

A growing number of school districts, counties and cities have defied Gov.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

COVID-19 is surging again in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive. Hospitalizations are increasing faster than at any other time. Local officials and school leaders are rebelling against Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. Here’s the latest.

HOUSTON (AP) — Some Texas cities, counties and school districts remained defiant Monday and kept in place mandates requiring students and others to wear facial coverings despite rulings a day earlier by the Texas Supreme Court halting mask mandates in two of the state's largest counties.

The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday struck down temporary restraining orders that empowered Bexar and Dallas counties to institute mask mandates. The elected Republican body offered Gov. Greg Abbott his first court victory in the fight over local emergency power.

A Texas Supreme Court opinion allows judicial courts to set its own COVID-19 rules. Commissioners will discuss it with the county attorney.

Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the Dallas Independent School District announced​ Sunday night that masks will still be required while on district property.

The ruling comes after several school districts and a handful of counties across the state defied the governor’s executive order that restricted local entities from instituting mask mandates.

The Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for absent House Democrats’ civil arrests after it temporarily blocked Harris County judges’ orders protecting them from such a move.

The Democrats had left the state to block the passage of a Republican elections bill they say would restrict voting rights in the state.

Funds amounting to at least $12.6 million will be transferred from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to the Senate, the House, and legislative agencies such as the LBB, the Legislative Council and the Legislative Reference Library.

A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire Saturday.

In the first phase of funding from the federal government for emergency rental assistance, Texas received about $2 billion. Now the state has to get those funds in the hands of Texans.

The state’s highest civil court has been asked to decide if Gov. Greg Abbott has the power to cut off funding for legislative staff, a move Abbott hoped would keep Democratic lawmakers from leaving the state and shutting down a special legislative session.

The extension comes as the federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire on July 31.

A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31.

The gunman should not have been able to purchase an assault style rifle, but the store conducted the required federal background check, which didn't reveal his past assault conviction, the court said.

Guzman's candidacy adds a new dynamic to the primary that is already unfolding between incumbent Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Her resignation is effective Friday, she told Gov. Greg Abbott in a letter.

Texans behind on their rent are at an increased risk of losing their homes despite a federal moratorium on evictions, according to housing attorneys, because a Texas Supreme Court order aimed at forestalling evictions has expired.

Texas courthouses no longer need a state safety review before conducting in-person hearings, including jury trials. AdIn the year of the pandemic, much of the state court system has been put on pause, creating a backlog of cases that will likely take years to overcome. In 2019, there was an average of 186 civil and criminal jury trials per week, according to the Texas Office of Court Administration. From March 2020 through this January, there were 222 jury trials total. But Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association President Grant Scheiner asked judges to remain vigilant in hopes of preventing another surge of coronavirus infections.

The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneTexas looks unlikely to change its controversial partisan election system for judges — even after a commission studying the issue recommended ending the practice. And in Republican primaries, judicial candidates with Hispanic-sounding surnames have often fared poorly, owing, experts say, to a largely white electorate. Those who favor partisan judicial elections have pointed out that they may work better in rural counties, where voters are electing fewer judges and it’s easier to learn their qualifications. Aside from the bias of partisanship, one of the chief concerns about the state’s partisan judicial selection system is the influence — perceived or actual — of donors who bankroll judges’ campaigns. Huffman, a powerful figure in the Texas Senate, said earlier this month she had already begun drafting a constitutional amendment that would increase judicial qualifications.

The Texas Supreme Court has extended its emergency eviction relief program for tenants behind on rent through at least March 15, lengthening the program’s expiration date by a month and a half. The move comes after Congress passed a stimulus bill Monday extending the federal moratorium on evictions through the end of January. The state created the Texas Eviction Diversion Program earlier this fall with the help of $171 million in CARES Act funding, the vast majority designated for rental assistance. But some housing advocates said the extension doesn’t go far enough to address the large number of struggling renters, even as the federal government extended its eviction moratorium. "There could be tens of thousands of evictions on the horizon in Texas later this winter,” said Michael Depland, spokesperson for the advocacy group, Texas Housers.

The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneSign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. More than five years after he was freed from Texas’ death row and nearly two years after prosecutors declared him innocent, the Texas Supreme Court ordered Friday that Alfred Dewayne Brown finally be compensated for his wrongful imprisonment. In 2015, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals tossed out Brown’s conviction and death sentence in the 2003 murder of a Houston police officer. But the Texas Comptroller, after receiving advice from the Texas Attorney General, denied Brown’s claim for the money. But Brown’s attorneys argued to the Texas Supreme Court, and the justices agreed, that the comptroller exceeded his authority by making such judicial determinations.

HOUSTON – Thomas M. Reavley, the oldest active federal judge who served for 41 years on the 5th U.S. Reavley died on Tuesday in Houston, the Texas Supreme Court announced. He had served nine years on the Texas Supreme Court, the state’s top civil court, before being appointed to the appeals court by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. “He was a towering figure in Texas and a true champion of justice for the state and the country,” said Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht. He married King in 2004 and the couple had said that before Florence Reavley died, she told them to get remarried.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON – A federal judge on Monday rejected another last-ditch Republican effort to invalidate nearly 127,000 votes in Houston because the ballots were cast at drive-thru polling centers established during the pandemic. Another 20,000 or more voters had been expected to use drive-thru polling locations Tuesday, Hollins said earlier Monday. “I cannot in good faith encourage voters to cast their votes in tents if that puts their votes at risk,” he said. Harris County offered 10 drive-thru locations as an option for its nearly 5 million residents amid worries of spreading the coronavirus. More than 40% of Harris County residents are Latino, and about one in five residents are Black.

HOUSTON – A federal judge issued an order to uphold Harris County drive-thru voting but stated that the tents being used to house most drive-thru voting centers will not qualify as “buildings,” which are required for Election Day polling locations. Instead of 10 drive-thru locations, the Toyota Center will be the only drive-thru voting center available in Harris County on Election Day because of the new order. In order to allow for drive-thru voting on Election Day while ensuring that all votes will be counted, the only drive-thru voting center on Election Day will be at Toyota Center. Woodfill said he would immediately appeal the decision, accusing Harris County officials of using their office to help Democrats win Tuesday. Harris County had originally offered 10 drive-thru locations as an option for its nearly 5 million residents amid worries of spreading the coronavirus.

A rejection of the votes would constitute a monumental disenfranchisement of voters — drive-thru ballots account for about 10% of all in-person ballots cast during early voting in Harris County. The clerk’s filing with the Supreme Court in the earlier lawsuit also said the Texas secretary of state’s office had approved of drive-thru voting. Since the first Republican challenge to drive-thru voting was filed on Oct. 12, the Texas secretary of state and Gov. Greg Abbott had both ignored requests from reporters and Harris County officials to clarify their positions on whether the process was legal. The county clerk’s office countered that the first challenge to drive-thru voting had already been denied, and the second filing came much too late.

A rejection of the votes would constitute a monumental disenfranchisement of voters — drive-thru ballots account for about 10% of all in-person ballots cast during early voting in Harris County. The clerk’s filing with the Supreme Court in the earlier lawsuit also said the Texas secretary of state’s office had approved of drive-thru voting. Since the first Republican challenge to drive-thru voting was filed on Oct. 12, the Texas secretary of state and Gov. Greg Abbott had both ignored requests from reporters and Harris County officials to clarify their positions on whether the process was legal. The county clerk's office countered that the first challenge to drive-thru voting had already been denied, and the second filing came much too late.

It’s notoriously difficult for judicial candidates, even those running for the state’s high courts, to capture voters’ attention. Voters have the chance to choose four justices on the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, the state’s highest court for civil matters, and three judges on its sister body, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. This year, though, the Texas Supreme Court has found itself in the spotlight far more than usual with major coronavirus-related decisions and an unusually long list of election-related cases. “Once again, the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court steps into this election against the interests of voters and a functioning democracy,” Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said after the Harris County decision. The nation’s high court again overturned the Texas court’s decision, and Moore has since been resentenced to life in prison and released on parole.

HOUSTON – The Texas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that drive-thru voting can proceed in Harris County. The court denied a request by Republicans for an emergency motion aimed at stopping people from casting their ballots from their vehicles. Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said in a statement posted on Twitter that he is happy with the result and he hopes this means that drive-thru voting will be available to Harris County voters in the future. The Court's decision to uphold the legality of Drive-Thru Voting as a safe and convenient way to vote underscores that this November, democracy is on the ballot. " (1/4) — Harris County Clerk (@HarrisVotes) October 22, 2020This developing story will be updated.

By Wednesday, more than 73,000 people in Harris County had voted at drive-thru polling places, according to the clerk’s early voting totals. They claimed drive-thru voting is an expansion of curbside voting, and therefore should only be available for disabled voters. Such applications are required for mail-in ballots, but voting rights advocates and the Harris County Clerk said they have never been a part of curbside voting. The clerk’s filing to the Supreme Court also said the Texas secretary of state’s Office had approved of drive-thru voting. The state Republican Party quickly moved to the Supreme Court, and a sister suit was filed by a litigious Houston conservative and the Harris County Republican Party.

HOUSTON – The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed earlier decisions supporting Harris County’s plan to mail unsolicited mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters, most of whom do not qualify to vote by mail. On Aug. 25, Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins tweeted his plan to mail an application for a mail-in ballot to each of the county’s more than 2 million registered voters. Two days later, the Texas Secretary of State threatened to sue Harris County if it did not “immediately halt” its plan. His office released a statement titled “Texas Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Voter Suppression" condemning the decision. Jones said whether or not Texas should allow anyone to vote by mail is a valid, but separate question.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that 2 million Houston voters cannot receive unsolicited mail ballot applications from local elections officials who are dramatically expanding ways to vote in November in the nation's third-largest county, a key battleground in Texas. Texas is one of just five states not allowing widespread mail-in voting this year. Mail voting in Texas is generally limited to voters who are 65 years old or older, or who have a disability. “Once again, the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court steps into this election against the interests of voters and a functioning democracy,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. Houston is a stronghold for Democrats, but the surrounding county still includes GOP-held seats that are helping keep Republicans in power in Texas.

Early voting in Texas can begin Oct. 13, following the timeline the governor laid out months ago, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, rejecting a request from several top Texas Republicans to limit the timeframe for voters to cast their ballots. Greg Abbott ordered that early voting for the general election in Texas begin nearly a week earlier than usual, a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott added six days to the early voting period through an executive order, an exercise of the emergency powers he has leaned into during the virus crisis. Abbott’s order to extend the early voting period has been the main way the state adjusted voting procedures during the pandemic. Abbott had also doubled the early voting period for lower-turnout primary runoff elections held in July.

The Republican justices sent the case back to a lower court in Harris County to issue an injunction blocking Hollins from sending the mailers. Turnout in Harris County, both major parties acknowledge, will have major impacts on races at the top of the ticket and the bottom of the ballot. In 2018, 17% of the Democratic votes for Beto O’Rourke were cast in Harris County. Applications for mail-in ballots have already gone out to voters in Harris County who are 65 or older. Harris County voters could start dropping off completed absentee ballots in person starting Sept. 28.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: When are the eviction protections scheduled to end? Answer: The CDC’s agency order to temporarily halt residential evictions for failure to pay rent or late fees expires December 31, 2020. This nationwide eviction moratorium orders landlords and those with a legal right to pursue eviction to not do so in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Moreover, the Texas Supreme Court recently issued an emergency order which states eviction citations must include CDC eviction moratorium information in addition to a copy of the required declaration form.

The Texas Supreme Court signed an order clarifying the federal eviction moratorium. Texans facing an eviction must be informed in court citations about how they can remain housed under a national eviction moratorium, the Texas Supreme Court ordered Thursday. Under the declaration, tenants also agree that they will pay rent eventually, as well as fees and penalties according to their leases or agreements with the landlord. On Sept. 9, the Texas Justice Court Training Center provided guidance for justices of peace, but advocates said that tenants still had trouble benefiting from the moratorium. “With this order of the Supreme Court, it makes it very clear that the court must abate these situations.”The Texas Supreme Court order also allows landlords to contest the declaration of the tenant.

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus is not in itself enough to qualify. During a typical year, Texas is one of only 16 states that doesn’t offer no-excuse mail-in voting, which allows voters to request ballots for any reason. Local election officials, who oversee the distribution of mail-in ballots, do not have the authority to verify a voter’s disability status. But election experts say it’s unclear whether the Texas attorney general’s office would try to pursue the issue. Disability rights activists say they’re worried the confusion may deter at-risk Texans from voting, or cause them to needlessly put their health at risk to show up in person at the polls despite being eligible for mail-in voting.