What’s happening?
In a Nov. 1 news release, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would send election monitors to 86 jurisdictions, including Harris County, across 27 states to ensure eligible citizens have access to vote.
Other Texas counties receiving monitors include Atascosa, Bexar, Dallas, Frio, Hays, Palo Pinto and Waller, according to the release.
Zooming in
The monitoring comes after U.S. Rep. AI Green, D-Houston, U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who represents Precinct 1, joined 62 elected officials to ask the Department of Justice to protect Texan’s right to vote, according to a Nov. 4 news release from Precinct 1.
However, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson said federal monitors “are not permitted inside [Texas] polling places where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted” in a Nov. 1 letter sent to the Department of Justice.
Those in favor
Democrat leaders, including State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, representing Precinct 4, joined Ellis, Garcia and Green at a Nov. 4 news conference to applaud the department’s decision to send monitors to Harris County and urge all voters to make their voices heard.
“If you are listening to this, know that tomorrow from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., please go vote. It is your right, it is your responsibility and together in unity, we will create a better state, county and country,” Briones said. “This is not about team red or blue—this is about us, as Americans, trying to deliver on the great promise of our democracy.”
Those opposed
Meanwhile, Republican leaders Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, who represents Precinct 3, and Cindy Siegel, chair of Harris County’s Republican Party, said at a Nov. 4 news conference there are no open cases into voter suppression in Harris County.
“This is a sham, ... it doesn’t exist—there is no voter suppression,” Bettencourt said. “We have a record role in the state of Texas, we have a record role here in Harris County. The tax office has done their job, and the feds should get out of the way and let [Harris County Clerk] Teneshia Hudspeth do hers.”
What else?
Additionally, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in a Nov. 4 news release that he will deploy an Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team in major Texas counties.
The team will be equipped to handle violations of state election law including ballot shortages, extended polling location closures and voting hour violations, according to the release. Residents with election violation tips should email [email protected].
“There is no issue more important and more fundamental to our nation than election integrity,” Paxton said in the release. “Our Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will be on the frontline on Nov. 5. We will defend the ballot box from any bad actors seeking to unduly influence or illegally undermine Texas elections.”
The bottom line
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will be available Nov. 5 to receive questions and complaints regarding federal voting laws, according to the release. To make a report, visit www.civilrights.justice.gov or call 800-253-3931.
Community members with concerns about The Americans with Disabilities Act violations should submit a complaint at www.ada.gov or call 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264.
