TX Governor Restricts Ballot Drop-Off Locations to 1 per County

[iluvatar5150]

Texas governor limits election drop boxes to one per county in sprawling state
Texas governor limits election drop boxes to one per county in sprawling state - CNNPolitics

Harris County has 4 million people and over 1700 square miles.

 

[Kentonio]

But the GOP aren’t trying to suppress the vote, no..

 

[SimplyMe]

It is worth pointing out that Harris County (while the largest by population) is only the 14th largest county in Texas by size. Twelve Texas counties are over 2,000 sq miles, seven are over 3,000, three over 4,000, and the largest county, Brewster, is over 6,000 sq. miles. To put that in context, 10 Texas counties are larger than the state of Maryland

 

[Kenny'sID]

Texas governor limits election drop boxes to one per county in sprawling state
Texas governor limits election drop boxes to one per county in sprawling state - CNNPolitics

Harris County has 4 million people and over 1700 square miles.

So, if the box was dropped in the center of the county, how far would people have to travel?

 

[iluvatar5150]

So, if the box was dropped in the center of the county, how far would people have to travel?

In Houston, that’s easily an hour round-trip without traffic.

 

[iluvatar5150]

It is worth pointing out that Harris County (while the largest by population) is only the 14th largest county in Texas by size. Twelve Texas counties are over 2,000 sq miles, seven are over 3,000, three over 4,000, and the largest county, Brewster, is over 6,000 sq. miles. To put that in context, 10 Texas counties are larger than the state of Maryland

holy jeez

 

[dogs4thewin]

But the GOP aren’t trying to suppress the vote, no..

How many of those people will vote in person.. .

 

[Hans Blaster]

So, if the box was dropped in the center of the county, how far would people have to travel?

Let's see, we could do some math.

Suppose the county was a square (yes round counties would be more compact, but where do you see circular counties). If you've seen a map of Texas, most of the counties are approximately square.

A square with 1700 sq. mi. of area is roughly 40 miles x 40 miles.

To get from the corner to the center travel 20 miles to the middle of one edge make a left/right turn and travel 20 miles to the center. (40 miles total) or travel along the diagonal if possible = 28 miles (Pythagoras).

So about 28-40 miles depending on the directness of the roads.

Or you could read the post about Harris County itself.

 

[Kenny'sID]

In Houston, that’s easily an hour round-trip without traffic.

Round trip? Not bad at all

 

[Kenny'sID]

Let's see, we could do some math.

Suppose the county was a square (yes round counties would be more compact, but where do you see circular counties). If you've seen a map of Texas, most of the counties are approximately square.

A square with 1700 sq. mi. of area is roughly 40 miles x 40 miles.

To get from the corner to the center travel 20 miles to the middle of one edge make a left/right turn and travel 20 miles to the center. (40 miles total) or travel along the diagonal if possible = 28 miles (Pythagoras).

So about 28-40 miles depending on the directness of the roads.

Or you could read the post about Harris County itself.

Not bad at all.

And thanks for doing the math.

 

[SimplyMe]

Round trip? Not bad at all

The key takeaway is "without traffic." "Without traffic" does not exist in Houston.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Not bad at all.

And thanks for doing the math.

It's just HS geometry (or easier). Perhaps, more importantly, its a county with more than 4 million residents, so things might get a bit crowded at the drop box.

 

[cow451]

Round trip? Not bad at all

You ever drive in Houston or Dallas?

 

[essentialsaltes]

I hope it's a big box.

 

[TexFire316]

Ok guv, we are going to remember things like this. We the people of the great state of Texas definately are NOT feeling the love.

 

[wing2000]

Abbott described his proclamation as an effort to “strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state.”

Security protocols?

The ballot drop-off locations are staffed, and voters must present an approved form of identification to deliver their ballots. They may not turn in ballots for other voters.

There is no rational for reversing his July decision to allow more ballot drop off sites.

What changed?

Gov. Greg Abbott limits counties to one absentee ballot drop-off location, bolstering GOP efforts to restrict voting

 

[Tiberius Lee]

After 243 years Americans realized democracy is overrated ….monarchism is not that bad.

 

[FireDragon76]

Abbott described his proclamation as an effort to “strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state.”

Security protocols?

The ballot drop-off locations are staffed, and voters must present an approved form of identification to deliver their ballots. They may not turn in ballots for other voters.

There is no rational for reversing his July decision to allow more ballot drop off sites.

What changed?

Gov. Greg Abbott limits counties to one absentee ballot drop-off location, bolstering GOP efforts to restrict voting

They are taking this step only because Texas might actually be in play this year, with substantial numbers of suburbanites defecting from supporting Trump.

 

[Pommer]

I hope it's a big box.

With optional shredder attachment?

 

[Fantine]

Obviously the Court should overturn this. Texans, mail in your votes early.