Payam Javan: In a significant victory for election integrity measures, a federal appeals court has upheld Texas’s “wet ink signature” law, requiring an original pen-on-paper signature on voter registration applications.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the 2-1 ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, emphasizing the state’s commitment to preventing voter fraud. The law mandates that individuals submitting applications electronically also provide a physical copy with an original signature.

The decision, a setback for the voter advocacy group Vote.org, rejected claims that the law infringes on voting rights, citing Texas’s legitimate interests in reliability and fraud deterrence. Dissenting Judge Stephen Higginson argued that the law unfairly targeted e-sign tools, but supporters, including Texas Public Policy Foundation, hailed the ruling as a crucial step in safeguarding election integrity.