The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Texas, over a state law restricting voting by mail, the latest effort by the Biden administration to battle new voting restrictions adopted in Republican-controlled states throughout the country.

Texas Senate Bill 1, which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in September, is the target of the department's lawsuit, which claims it infringes on voters' rights.

The Texas law made it tougher to cast ballots through the mail by preventing officials from sending unsolicited mail-in ballot applications.

It also added new identification requirements for mail-in voting, which prohibits drive-through and 24-hour voting locations, limits early voting, and restricts who can help voters that require assistance. 

The Justice Department complaint alleges that the Texas law restricts disabled voters or voters who cannot read or write from being able to receive assistance at voting locations.

Justice Minister Merrick Garland stated that democracy depends on the right of eligible voters to place a ballot in the ballot box and on the vote count. He pledged that the department would do its utmost to "protect this fundamental pillar of our society." 

Several states across the country have taken steps in recent months to pass laws restricting voting after former President Donald Trump and his allies spoke out about fraud in the 2020 presidential election, making it more difficult for some voters, according to organizations.