The Texas Democratic Party has filed a federal lawsuit demanding a vote-by-mail election in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic Party officials named Gov. Greg Abbott, Secretary of State Ruth Hughs, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, and Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacquelyn F. Callanen as defendants in the suit. The lawsuit claims that current elections conditions discriminate against voters on a basis of race, language, and ethnicity, in violation of the Voting Rights Act, the 14th Amendment, and the 15th Amendment. The suit also alleges a violation of free speech rights.

According to the suit, the plaintiffs are seeking the court to declare the election conditions as illegal and unconstitutional and violations of the First, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Twenty-Sixth Amendments and the Voting Rights Act. Plaintiffs are also arguing that voting-by-mail should be utilized for all voters in the upcoming election due to social distancing related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, party chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the lawsuit seek to provide voters a chance to cast ballots without fear for safety.

“Republicans have opposed vote-by-mail without providing any credible justification,” Hinojosa said. “Current law allows any voter whose health may be injured by voting in person to vote by mail. As our city and county leaders issue shelter-in-place orders and our residents are urged to stay inside, we must protect Texans’ ability to cast a ballot without jeopardizing their health or safety.”

Texas Democrats are next set to head to the polls on July 14 for a party runoff to decide statewide nominees for U.S. Senate and Railroad Commissioner.