The ACLU of Texas is the Texas state-level affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a prominent social-liberal advocacy, litigation, and campaign advocacy group. The ACLU of Texas supports left-of-center positions through courtroom activism (operated through the ACLU of Texas Foundation) and direct lobbying. [1] Positions supported by the ACLU include increasing restrictions on campaign speech activity, increased limitations on freedom of religion, erosion of voter-integrity laws, and the expansion of government support for abortions. [2]
Funding and Expenses
In 2017 the ACLU of Texas generated $2,731,4445, of which $2,726,743 came from contributions and grants received by the organization. [3] The ACLU of Texas spent $1,425,590 on salaries and benefits, operational costs, and fundraising. [4] In 2017, the organization also possessed $2,304,319 in assets after accounting for all liabilities. [5]
Advocacy
Vote-by-Mail
During the COVID-19 epidemic of 2020, the ACLU of Texas advocated for increased use of mail-in ballot voting irrespective of whether the a voter has an actual disability or physical limitation preventing him or her from voting. [6] Mail-in ballot expansion was advocated for by the ACLU of Texas despite concerns regarding the increased threat of election fraud. [7]
This campaign included a joint litigation effort with the Texas Democratic Party and Texas Civil Rights Project within the Texas court system seeking to assert a general right to mail-in ballots in light of COVID-19. [8]
On April 15, 2020 the litigation effort won a ruling that citizens in Texas can request a mail-in ballot form in the July 2020 elections but that the decision will be subject to further review later in the summer of 2020. [9]
Immigration Enforcement
The ACLU of Texas has petitioned the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection to end all immigration enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic. [10]
Lobbying
The ACLU of Texas has lobbied in support of HB 226, legislation that would repeal sections of SB 4 directing Texas law enforcement to assist federal immigration officers. [11]
The ACLU of Texas has lobbied against SB 9, legislation that would create increased safe-guards against voter fraud, such as heightened penalties for ineligible voters registered to vote despite being legally disqualified from doing so. [12]
Leadership
Ranjana Natarajan is the president of the ACLU Foundation of Texas and a professor at the University of Texas. [13] In 2014 Natarajan wrote an opinion piece arguing for a federal, top-down, and comprehensive national policy regarding racial discrimination in policing despite policing regulations falling under the traditional “state powers” that were reserved for the states. [14]