AARP Texas Extremely Concerned Over Mail-In Ballot Application Rejections

AUSTIN, Texas — AARP Texas Director Tina Tran issued the following statement in response to reports of widespread rejections of mail-in ballot applications in advance of the March 1 Texas Primary election:

“AARP is deeply committed to ensuring that voters have the information and tools necessary to exercise their right to vote, whether they vote in-person, by early voting, or vote by mail. It is extremely concerning to hear reports of a significant percentage of mail in ballot applications being rejected in many of our largest counties. It is imperative that state and local election officials work together cohesively and promptly to help voters cure their applications so that they can vote as they desire.

“Voters 65 and older and other voters who qualify to vote by mail under current law must be supplied with the information and opportunity they need to ensure their votes count. With the March 1 primary fast approaching, it is crucial that election officials take urgent action to help voters meet vote-by-mail application requirements.

“With new voting laws in effect, all voters who wish to vote by mail must submit a new application by the February 18 deadline. The current application found on the Secretary of State or local election officials’ website. In addition, applicants must provide a valid driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number to match their voter registration record. Reports indicate that many ballot applications are being rejected because of applications displaying numbers different than voters’ records.”

For more information from AARP Texas about voting, visit our Voting Information Page at: www.aarp.org/txvotes

CONTACT: Mark Hollis at mhollis@aarp.org or 512.480.2429