[Special Commissioners Court]
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AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE AUGUST 3, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MARS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S BOARD TO ORDER.THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING TO GATHER PUBLIC INPUT AND TESTIMONY REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT OF A NEWLY CREATED OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS ON THE SUBJECT.
I KNOW DOUG RAY IS GOING TO BE WATCHING US THROUGH WHERE WE ARE ON ALL OF THIS.
ONE QUESTION THAT CAME UP AT THE STAFF LEVEL FOLKS BROUGHT UP THAT SOMEONE WANTED TO PERHAPS DO THE SPEAKERS FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF AS OPPOSED TO THREE.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION JUDGE.
I KNOW THAT FOLKS WERE COMPLAINING OF CALLING TOO LATE.
THAT'S A MOTION TO A MINUTE AND A HALF PER SPEAKER.
>> COMMISSIONER REDDICK ARE YOU ON? I DON'T THINK HE'S ON.
IF YOU ARE ON, YOU MAY BE MUTED.
>> COMMISSIONER REDDICK IS UNAVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.
>> >> AND JAMES YOU ARE ON CORRECT.
THE MOTION CARRIES TO LIMIT THE SPEAKER TIME TO A MINUTE AND A HALF PER SPEAKER SO FOLKS AREN'T GETTING CALLED LATE INTO THE NIGHT.
>> BASICALLY I'VE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT WHAT AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS AND WHAT IT WOULD ENTAIL TO IMPLEMENT IT.
THE FIRST THING IS AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS AN OFFICE THAT IS A PROFESSIONAL OFFICE FOR AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED BY A SPECIAL COMMISSION THEN ELECTED BY THE VOTERS.
PRESENTLY THERE ARE FUNCTIONS IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE OF ELECTIONS AND TAX ASSESS SUPPORT'S OFFICE WHICH WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND ALL BE HANDLED JUST IN THAT ONE OFFICE.
BY VOTING TO HAVE AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR , THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS MADE UP OF THE COUNTY JUDGE , THE TAX ASSESS SUPPORT COLLECTOR , THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE CHAIRS OF THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES , THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY AND HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
THOSE FIVE PEOPLE CAN PICK OR DESIGNATE AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BY A MAJORITY VOTE.
ONCE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS DESIGNATED, THEN HE OR SHE WOULD ASSUME OFFICE AS THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR ON THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE.
THAT OFFICE CAN BE CREATED UP TO A YEAR AFTER INITIAL ORDER.
THE ORDER ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFICE AS OF NOVEMBER 18.
THEN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN IN ORDER TO SERVICE FOR THE TRANSITION FROM THE PRESENT FUNCTION FOR THAT.
SINCE THE DATE CHOSEN BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOVEMBER 1, THAT MEANS THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN HIRE WHOEVER THE ELECTION COMMISSION DESIGNATES ANYTIME AUGUST 20 OR THERE AFTER.
AS SOON AS IS THE ELECTION COMMISSION DESIGNATES SOMEONE THEY CAN HIRE THAT PERSON, THEY CAN SERVE THE TIME DURING THE TRANSITION AND WHEN IT COMES INTO FACT ON NOVEMBER 18.
THE ADMINISTRATOR WOULD THEN TAKE OVER THE FUNCTION.
I BELIEVE THAT THE COURT ASSIGNED THE DATE SO IT WOULD BE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
AND ALL THE VOTING CANVASSING SO THAT WE WOULDN'T TRY CHANGE FROM ONE SYSTEM TO THE OTHER SYSTEM WHILE WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF AN ELECTION.
AT THE SAME TIME , THE TRANSITION PERIOD WOULD GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE
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AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR COME IN AND SEE THE SCOPE OF THE FUNCTIONS THAT EACH OF THOSE OFFICES ARE PERFORMING DURING A MAJOR ELECTION.THE PERSON WHO IS CHOSEN BENEFIT AND NUMBER OF POSITIONS WOULD BE DECIDED BY COMMISSION'S COURT.
THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS CHARGED WITH PROVIDING SUFFICIENT EQUIPMENT, OFFICE SPACE FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PERFORM THAT FUNCTION.
THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR HAS TO BE A NONPARTISAN PERSON.
THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN BIPARTISAN POLITICS AT ALL.
THEY CAN'T BE AN OFFICER IN A PARTY, CAN'T MAKE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, CAN'T ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE OR RUN FOR ANY OFFICE WHILE THEY ARE HOLDING THE POSITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.
FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW, WHEREVER IT IS THAT IS CHOSEN HAS TO BE NAB IS A PROFESSIONAL PERSON AND NOT A POLITICAL PARTY FUNCTIONER.
ONCE IN OFFICE, THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS IN CHARGE OF HIRING ALL THE PEOPLE TO WORK IN HIS OFFICE ACCORDING TO THE POSITIONS AND THOSE PEOPLE ALSO HAVE TO BE NONPARTISAN.
THEY CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN ANY KIND OF ENDORSEMENT CAMPAIGNS OR OFFICES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WILL THEN CARRY OUT THE FUNCTION OF THE ELECTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN ORDER TO BE QUALIFIED TO BE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR YOU HAVE TO BE A QUALIFIED VOTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT THE PERSON BE REGISTERED OR RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.
ONCE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BEGINS TO OPERATE , THE ELECTION COMMISSION CAN AT ANY POINT IN TIME IF FOUR MEMBERS DECIDE TO REMOVE THAT PERSON FROM OFFICE THEY CAN DO.
SO IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSIONER COURT DECIDE -- [INDISCERNIBLE] ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION SENT BACK TO THE OFFICES ORIGINALLY.
>> IT'S STEVE, CAN YOU HEAR ME IS THE.
>> WHEN YOU SAY NONPARTISAN, NOT GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS.
IS THAT FROM THE MINUTE THEY'VE SWORN IN OR DOES THAT HAVE AN AMOUNT OF TIME PRIOR TO BECOMING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR? THE PERSON BEGINS SERVING THE DATE THEY BEGIN IN AUGUST.
THE PERSON DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY BUT A TEXAS RESIDENT.
>> THEY HAVE TO BE A QUALIFIED VOTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
>> BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE WHEN I LOOKED AT THE STATUTE, IT SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF TEXAS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE REGISTERED TO VOTED.
>> YOU HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES.
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>> THEY DON'T HAVE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IF THEY DON'T WANT TO.
IS THERE A REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
>> THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S REQUIRE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR ORDER COVERS ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS.
I BELIEVE THAT WOULD COVER THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AS WELL.
THAT PERSON IS WHEN THEIR APPOINTED A FINANCIAL STATEMENT UNDER CHAPTER 159 LOCAL.
>> AND HOW WOULD WE I GUESS IF THAT PERSON MADE A PERSONAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO A CAMPAIGN THE ONLY WAY WE WOULD KNOW THAT IS IF -- THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO -- THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE MADE ONE PRIOR TO BECOMING CORRECT?
>> I UNDERSTAND THE STATUTE IS THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED NOT TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO CAMPAIGNS ONCE THEY ARE APPOINTED.
IF THEY MADE CONTRIBUTIONS PRIOR TO THAT THAT WOULDN'T APPROXIMATE A VIOLATION OF THE STATUTE F.
THEY WERE TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS AFTER THIS, THAT ACTUALLY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE STATUTE.
BUT NO REQUIREMENT, TO NO PROBLEM IF THEY MADE CONTRIBUTION 90 DAYS PRIOR.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THESE -- IF THEY MADING CONTRIBUTIONS PRIOR TO THAT DATE THAT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM.
>> TODAY WE HAVE 28 SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO TALK ON THE SUBJECT OF AN ADMINISTRATOR.
AAND COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS ALREADY VOTED TO GO UNDER THE DIRECTION.
WHAT IMPORT OR INFLUENCE WILL THESE SPEAKERS BE ABLE TO HAVE ON THE PROPROCESS? IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT VOTES ARE COMING UP IN THE FUTURE THAT COULD BE TAKEN THAT COULD INCORPORATE THE COMMENTS WE MAY BE ABOUT TO RECEIVE OR ARE WE MOSTLY JUST DISCUSSING SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DECIDED?
>> PART OF THE ORDER THAT WAS ADOPTED ON JULY 14 WAS TO ASK FOR THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT, AUDITOR AND OUR OFFICE TO PREPARE A REPORT TO SUBMIT WITHIN 30 DAYS.
WE'RE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THAT TO NEW ITS COMPLETED FORM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION NEXT WEEK AT THE AUGUST 11 MEETING.
THERE ARE MANY ISSUES TO BE DECIDED.
WHAT WE DISCOVERED IT WAS TAX ASSESS SUPPORT IN THE COUNTY COURT DIDN'T OPERATE THE ELECTION FUNCTION OR REGISTRATION FUNCTIONS ADDS COMPLETELY SEPARATE OPERATIONS FROM OTHER OPERATIONS AND MANY DECISIONS AS TO HOW MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT WORK FOR EACH OFFICE, HOW MANY OF THOSE POSITIONS WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH OFFICES WILL BE OR OFFICE SPACE, WAREHOUSE SPACE WILL BE RAE SIGNED TO THEM.
FUNCTION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THIS NEW OFFICE.
THERE IS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT I THINK WILL HAVE TO BE RESUBMITTED TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN THE FUTURE TO BE DECIDED.
AND WE TRIED TO IDENTIFY A LOT OF THOSE.
WE THINK THAT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COURT FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND DECISION BEFORE ALL THAT WOULD BE FINALIZED AND.
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>> WOULD NOT ONE IMPORTANT FACTOR OF THIS BE THAT THE POTENTIAL MEMBERS OF THIS PANEL WHO WILL DECIDE WHO THE ADMINISTRATOR WOULD BE WHICH COULD BE THE COUNTY JUDGE, COUNTY CLERK , THE TAX ASSESS SUPPORT COLLECTOR AND THE TWO HEAD OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES, THAT FIVE PERSON COMMITTEE COULD ALSO HEAR THE COMMENTS OF THESE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO SPEAK TODAY AND THEN OTHER TIMES IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THEY DESIRE TO APPOINT AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, WOULD THAT BE FAIR TO SAY?
>> WELL, I WOULD LEAVE THAT UP TO Y'ALL.
I THINK IF WE AT ANY TIME COULD DECIDE THIS IS IS THE WAY TO GO OR COULD ABOLLISH IT.
THIS IS ALWAYS WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM OR NOT.
>> BUT THERE IS A SECOND LEVEL OF THAT AND THAT IS THAT GROUP THAT WOULD BE MAKING THE DECISION ON WHO TO APPOINT HAS THE OPTION OF APPOINTING SOMEONE OR OF NOT APPOINTING SOMEONE S THAT CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
>> IF YOU CREATE THE OFFICE OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE WITHIN THE DUTY OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION TO ACTUALLY APPOINT SOMEBODY TO TAKE THAT POSITION.
IF YOU SIMPLY DECIDED NOT TO APPOINT SOMEONE, IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO APPOINT SOMEBODY.
THEY CAN DESIGNATE WHOEVER THAT WILL BE TO TAKE OVER ONCE THE OFFICE COMES INTO BEING.
>> SO A NO PERSON IS NOT AN OPTION TO THIS PANEL.
IF THEY FAIL TO APPOINT SOMEBODY, YOU ARE SAYING THEY WOULD BE MANDATED NOT LIKE WITH OTHER POSITIONS WHERE IF THERE IS A DEAD LOCK THE GOVERNOR GETS TO APPOINT OR IN OTHER INSTANCES THE NUMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD APPOINT.
>> THE STATUTE DOESN'T PROVIDE THAT AS AN OPTION.
IT DOESN'T PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE IF THE FIVE MEMBER COMMISSION FAILS TO COME UP WITH A CONSENSUS.
>> WHAT CONCERNS ME AS WE BEGIN THIS PROCESS, HERE IT IS THAT TO ME IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT SINCE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IT'S BEEN THE POLICY OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ALLOW PEOPLE ADDRESSING THE COURT TO ATALK FOR THREE MINUTES.
AND ALSO WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS BASICALLY SOMEONE COULD SIGN UP TO SPEAK ALL THE WAY UP TO 10:00 A.M.
ON TUESDAY BECAUSE WE PRIMARILY MEET ON TUESDAYS.
THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT IT CHANGED TO FROM THREE MINUTES TO 90 SECONDS.
AND ALSO WHAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO ME IS THAT THEY HAD TO SIGN UP BY 8:00 A.M.
THIS MORNING AND THE MEETING DIDN'T START UNTIL 4:00.
I JUST THINK THAT'S A BAD START TO THIS WHOLE THING.
WHY IS IT OK ON SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF A SUDDEN SAY WE'RE ONLY GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK HALF THE TIME, AND BY THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO LIMIT HOW LONG WE'RE GOING TO BEFORE THE MEETING WE'RE GOING TO LET PEOPLE SIGN UP WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT EIGHT HOURS.
DOES HA BOTHER YOU AT ALL MR. RAY?
>> I CAN SEE THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING SPECIFIED THERE WOULD BE ONE MINUTE 30 SECONDS IN PLACE.
THE FACT THAT 28 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK I THINK IS A GOOD INDICATION THERE WAS SUFFICIENT PUBLIC NOTICE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>> LOOKS TO ME LIKE FROM THE WORD GO IT'S NOT TOO TRANSPARENT, BUT THAT'S MY PERSONAL OPINION.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A COMMENT.
I'LL NOTICE WE CLOSED THE SPEAKERS AT 8:00 A.M.
IF THEY CALL WE MAKE ALLOWANCES.
THIS TIME WE CLOSED AT NOON INSTEAD OF 8:00.
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>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK POINTS.
AT ANY TIME COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS TO BACK UP A DISPOSITION THEY CAN DO THAT AT ANY TIME.
>> AND WOULD YOU JUST REFRESH OUR MEMORY.
WHAT IT WERE RULES IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS BEFORE COMMISSIONER GARCIA JOINED THIS BODY?
>> I THINK THAT PUBLIC SPEAKERS WERE USUALLY GIVEN IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF RULES WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW.
>> 15 MINUTES ON ANY SUBJECT AM I RIGHT OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING?
>> I THINK THAT WAS WITHIN THE OPTION OF THE JUDGE TO DECIDE THAT.
THAT THEY COULD LIMIT TO A TOTAL OF 15 MINUTES ON ONE SUBJECT.
>> DO YOU RECALL THE JUDGE ONE TIME WHEN I HAD ARCHBISHOP SPEAK AND I WAS NOT PERMITTED TO MAKE A MOTION TO LET THE ARCHBISHOP SPEAK? DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DAY? I CAN PULL THE VIDEO OF IT BUT I WANT TO GET TO THE SPEAKERS.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE JUDGE EVER AT LEAST WHEN I WAS THERE SPEAKERS WERE COMING AND MY SPEAKERS WERE GOING 15 MINUTES?
WE TYPICALLY TRY TO GET FOLKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE QUESTION TO LIMIT TO 15 MINUTES.
IT WAS NOT A HARD AND FAST RULE.
IT WAS IN THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.
>> CAN YOU ALL GET TOGETHER IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WANT TO DEV I HAVE UP YOUR 15 MINUTES? DO YOU RECALL THAT?
>> TRANSPARENCY IS A GOOD THING.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC.
GREAT JOB ON THE REPORT MR. RAY.
>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE SPEAKERS SO WE CAN GET STARTED.
WILL YOU PLEASE CALL UP OUR SPEAKERS?
>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROSENTHAL GO AHEAD.
>> HI Y'ALL AND THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING KNOW SPEAK TODAY.
YOU KNOW I APPRECIATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN FAVOR OF HAVING A NONPARTISAN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND I'M MAKING TWO ARGUMENTS FOR THAT.
AND SECOND CONFIDENCE MOVING TOWARD.
I'M SURE Y'ALL KNOW THAT 150 COUNTIES ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE, 150 COUNTIES IN TEXAS ALREADY USE AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR INCLUDING 8 OF THE 10 MOST POPULACE COUNTIES.
IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THESE ELECTION FUNCTIONS FALL UNDER A SINGLE AUTHORITY, ESPECIALLY IN A COUNTY LARGE COUNTIES.
IN TERMS OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, IT HELPS REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY OF ANYWAY EXPERIENCE OF PARTISANSHIP AND INCREASES TRANSPARENCY SINCE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE TO GO FOR ALL ELECTION INFORMATION.
THAT'S WHY I FEEL IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO SHIFT TIE NONPARTISAN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR.
I KNOW I PROBABLY DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TIME.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING KNOW SPOKE TODAY.
I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> I WANTED TO THANK THE REPRESENTATIVE.
I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO MEET HIM A LOT.
THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, I KNOW HE AND 11 OF HIS COLLEAGUES DID SEND US A LETTER.
I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE LINE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TO THE NEWLY CREATED OFFICES OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
AS I'VE STATED IN PREVIOUS TESTIMONY TO THE BODY THE TECHS TECH CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SUPPORTS STEPS TO INDRIS PROFESSIONALISM OF ELECTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AS HARRIS COUNTY MOVES TOWARD COMBINING ALL THE ELECTION FUNCTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF THERE, SAN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A UNANIMOUS PART SON APPOINTED OFFICE THAT
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ANSWERS TO THE PEOPLE.BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH CREATING STANDARDS THAT HOLD ACE PERSON IN THIS OFFICE ACCOUNTABLE TO NOT ONLY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BUT TO THE PEOPLE AS WELL.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YEARLY PERFORMANCE REVIEWS THAT EMPHASIZE AN INCREASE IN VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE IN THE PROCESS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION OF COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE HAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE SAFE INITIATIVE MEETINGS WHERE COMMUNITY GROUPS REGULARLY MEET WITH ELECTION STAFF TO SHARE STRATEGIES, FEEDBACK AND INFORMATION.
A SINGLE OFFICE WITH COMBINED RESPONSIBILITIES IS BETTER SUITED THAN THE CURRENT SETUP TO PROTECT ELECTIONS FROM VOTER SUPPRESS AND LIMIT OBSTACLES SUCH AS VOTER REGISTRATION AND RESTRICTIVE VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT MOVES FORWARD WE WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND IN THIS PROCESS AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU YOUR HONOR AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
WE APLOWED THIS MOVE MOVING FORWARD.
TO HAVE A NONPARTISAN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
AS IT'S BEEN STATED BEFORE OVER 150 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ALREADY DO THIS.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CORPORATION OF THIS OFFICE WOULD MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT.
I CAN THINK OF A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES WHERE OUR ORGANIZATION WAS ACTUALLY DOING VOTER REGISTRATION AND INFORMING VOTERS OF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TO DO AN APPLICATION FOR A BALLOT BY MAIL N.
ONE SPECIFIC CASE THAT I CAN REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD , THE BALLOT BY MAIL WENT THROUGH BEFORE THE VOTER REGISTRATION WENT TRUE.
AND SO THE PERSON ENDED UP GETTING A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING SORRY YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE.
BY CREATING THIS OFFICE THOSE INEFFICIENCIES WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
IT'S A NONPARTISAN POSITION AND WE HIGHLY APPLAUD THAT.
WE THINK THIS IS ESPECIALLY POYNANT FROM LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JOHN LEWIS WHERE THE GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER ENCOURAGED ALL OF TO US MAKE GOOD TROUBLE.
WE THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE BALLOT MORE REACHABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE HIGHLY APPLAUD IT AND HIGHLY APPLAUD THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
>> >> SOME OF YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN THE MEMO I PREPARED FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE.
IT DEALS WITH THE SIMPLE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS SHIFT OVER TOWARDS WHAT WE CALL UNIFIED ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR HAS ANY IMPACT ON VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER TURNOUT AND DIFFICULTIES OF VOTERS WHO ATTEMPT TO VOTE PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF REGISTRATION OR NOT GETTING A MAIL BALLOT.
THE MEMO WHICH I'M HAPPY TO SHARE DETAILS A SURVEY OF 10,200 VOTERS IN 2012.
I FOUND HA DATA THAT ASKED VOTERS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THOSE RESPECTIVE YEARS.
THERE WAS A HIGHER RATE OF VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTER TURNOUT AND LOWER RATE OF DIFFICULTY CHECKING IN BECAUSE OF REGISTRATION OR GETTING A MAIL BALLOT.
IN THAT MEMO I DETAILED BASED ON 3300 COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THIS PERIOD OF 2012 TO 2018.
AS I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER THIS IS ALL DUE TO THE INSTITUTION OF
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THE VOLUME TAX.>> GENERALLY SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE I'VE YOU RAZEED THE CONCERNS WE'VE HAD ORGANIC GROWTH IN OUR RESPECTIVE TURNOUT NUMBERS.
IF WE WERE TO HAVE A CONSOLIDATED OPERATION SOME LEADERSHIP WHO FOCUSED ON VOTER ENGAGEMENT, TURNOUT, REGISTRATION ON A DAY IN DAY OUT BASIS THAT WE'RE LIKELY TO GET A BETTER OUT PUT ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN TYPICALLY HARD TO IMPACT LIKE HISPANIC LATIN COMMUNITY.
THE RESEARCH I THINK INDICATED WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE AN 11 OR 12% INCREASE IN LATIN VOTER TURNOUT.
>> I THINK THE DIFFERENTIAL HERE WAS ABOUT 4%.
BUT I WILL NOTE THAT 4% ON A POPULATION OF 2.3 MILLION IS QUITE A LOT OF VOTERS.
AND I HAVEN'T DELVED INTO THE EFFECT BY RACE AND ETHNICITY IN ANY GREAT LENGTH YET.
I DID THIS IN A THREE DAY PERIOD WHEN I WAS FIRST ASKED ABOUT THE QUESTION.
>> THERE IS AN 11 OR 12% IS IT OVERALL TURNOUT?
>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MEMO, WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS ABOUT A 4 POINT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIFIED FORMS OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND DIVIDE IT.
AND THE TURNOUT DIFFERENTIAL I HAVEN'T BROKEN DOWN BY YOU RACE AND ETHNICITY YET.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE RESIDENTIALLY UNSTABLE, WHO MOVE AROUND A LOT.
WHO ARE YOUNGER AND NEW VOTERS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY VOTERS OF COLOR.
ONE COULD IMAGINE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY OF REGISTERING AND OR VOTING AND WHO KEEP A CONSTANT RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS WOULD GET A MAIL BALLOT ARE USUALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR, YOUNGER AND VOTERS WHO DON'T HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF VOTING.
AS I TOLD YOU LAST WEEK, I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DELVE INTO THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP.
THE CLERK IS KEEPING ME BUSY ON OTHER PROJECTS.
MY SENSE IS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK THAT THE REPORT, IT'S HARD TO MAKE A DISTINCTION ON PARTISANSHIP OR EVEN A DISTINCTION ON ELECTED NONELECTED.
THE BIG DISTINCTION THAT JUMPS OUT IN THOSE TABLES IS UNIFIED FORMS OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.
I THINK IF YOU TALK TO ANY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IN THIS COUNTRY I'VE SPENT YEARS WORKING WITH THEM, HAVING VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE SAME OPERATION AS YOUR ELECTIONS SIMPLY GIVES YOU A SEAMLESS ERROR NOT ERROR PROOF BUT YOU CAN GREATLY REDUCE MISTAKES AND ERRORS IN VOTER REGISTRATION, I DON'T DOUBT THAT THE TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OUR COUNTY MRS. BENNETT AND NOW MR. HOLLAND WORK EXTREMELY WELL.
THEY ARE PROBABLY BOTH IN THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY.
AGAIN, I'VE NOT SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF DIVIDED PARTISAN ADMINISTRATION HAVING ANY EFFECT ON THESE TURNOUT AND REGISTRATION.
IT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE TASK THAT IS MADE MORE EFFICIENT.
THERE IS NO QUESTION WHEN YOU HAVE A SINGLE OPERATION MAINTAINING YOUR VOTER LIST AND PROCESSING PEOPLE AS THEY COME TO THE POLLS TO REQUEST BALLOTS YOU DON'T HAVE THE DIFFICULTY OF HAVING TO SHARE DATA BASES, DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEMS AND I'M SURE I COULD GO INTO GREAT DETAIL WHEN 2 TAX ASSESS SUPPORT GETS A VOTER LIST, SHE USUAL YOULY GETS IT FROM THE STATE FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE OFFICE -- [INAUDIBLE] .
>> I KNOW YOU HAVE A TOWN HALL MEETING AND YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
YOU'VE BEEN MY GO TO PERSON FROM THIS WHEN WE WERE JOCKEYING OVER THE MOTOR
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VOTER THING.HE WAS A SENIOR SENATOR AND GOT HIS BILL UP AND I SLIPPED MY VEXER IN THAT BECAME LAW.
I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO HELP MY PARTY.
I THINK I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR LEGISLATION THAT REGISTERED MORE REPUBLICANS IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I KNOW YOU SAW WHERE I DREW THE ANALOGY OF SAYING HAVING PEOPLE OF COLOR GO TO TAX ASSESS SUPPORT'S OFFICE TO REGISTER TO VOTE MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS THEM HAVING TO GO TO ROBERT E.
YOU ASKED KNOW CARRY THAT MEGA CENTER PALLET THING '9" OR WHENEVER IT WAS.
IF SOMEBODY WAS DESIGNING THIS SYSTEM TODAY, WOULD ANYBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND DESIGN A SYSTEM WHERE YOU GO TO TWO DIFFERENT OFFICES AND PICK THOSE TWO OFFICES IN PARTICULAR? NO.
>> AND MY ANALOGY WOULD BE WHEN THE CITY COLLECTS TRASH, IT HAS RECYCLING BINS AN GARBAGE BINS AND THEY DON'T GIVE THE RECYCLING BINS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE AND -- WE RECOGNIZE RECYCLABLES CONSTITUTE WASTE AND WE HAVE ONE OPERATION.
I WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS MANY YEARS AGO BY JUDGE EMMETT.
I DON'T THINK HE WAS IN OFFICE BUT A YEAR WHEN HE SUGGESTED IT.
I HAVE THE LUXURY OF STUDYING THINGS I WANT TO STUDY AND I'VE BEEN LOOKING THAT THE FOR A LONG TIME.
WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE PROPOSAL, I WAS SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL BECAUSE I HEARD YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TALK ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION AND TURNOUT.
I SAID I'M -- I GO I BELIEVE IT'S A GOOD FORM OF ADMINISTRATION.
I WAS HARD PRESSED TO BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE THIS EFFECT.
I NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH MY RESEARCH IDEAS.
I TOOK EVERY EFFORT AND YOU CAN READ THAT MEMO.
IT'S NOT THE FINEST WORK I'VE EVER DONE.
BUT THE ONLY IMPERICAL WORK THAT I'VE SEEN THAT ADDRESSES THE QUESTION AND I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE EFFECT.
THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THE JIM CROW AND TAX LAWS HAD AN INSTITUTIONAL EFFECT.
THE REASON WE SEPARATED THIS WAS TO DISCRIMINATE LARGELY AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE CONFEDERACY STATES.
I'M SURPRISED TO SEE THE LEGACY OF THAT EFFECT CONTINUE ALMOST 50 YEARS LATER.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE RULES AND REGULATIONS BACKED IT UP.
I'M NOT SUGGEST ANYONE IN THIS COURT OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTY LEADERSRY HAD ANY INTENTION ON BRINGING BACK THE 308 TAX.
THERE ARE RULES AND PROCEDURES THAT CREATED THE POLL TAX AND CONTINUE TO HAVE INEFFICIENCY THAT DENY SOME PEOPLE ACCESS WE'D BE FOOLISH AND I THINK THIS IS EVIDENCE OF IT.
I'M EAG TORE HEAR THE COST EFFECTS OF THIS.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE COST TO BENEFIT RATIOS ARE FAVORABLE.
THAT IS TO SAY YOU WILL REGISTER MORE VOTERS REGARDLESS OF RACE AND ETHNICITY BECAUSE YOU CONSOLIDATE UNDER A SINGLE ADMINISTRATOR.
AND I WANT TO PUBLICLY APOLOGIZE WHEN I CALLED YOU AND WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AND YOU WERE SO HESITANT.
I'M SORRY THAT I WENT NUCLEAR F.
I HUNG UP THE PHONE IT'S BECAUSE I NEEDED TO RIDE MY BIKE AND TAKE MY MEDICATION.
I'M GOING LEAVE YOU WITH THIS QUOTE FROM JOHN LEWIS' FAREWELL ESSAY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE COST.
THE VOTE IS MOST POWERFUL NONVIOLENT CHANGE YOU HAVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
IF YOU ASK ME DO I THINK WE OUGHT TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THIS EFFORT, YES.
AM I GOING ADVOCATE FOR THAT? YES.
I'M GOING THE DO IT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.
OUR TURNOUT NUMBERS ARE A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT.
AND THE PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD WITH THE NOT THE LAST CYCLE BUT THE TWO BEFORE THAT WERE AN INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT.
I HEARD FROM ENOUGH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ASKING ME WHAT ARE YOU DEMOCRATS DOING TO KNOW THEY WERE FOLLOWING US.
>> YOU MENTIONED THAT THE STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN YOUR STUDY.
JUST TO CLARIFY WHEN YOU HYPOTHESIZE AS TO THE REASON -- [INAUDIBLE] HOW MUCH
[00:40:04]
CAMPAIGN THERE WERE.WHETHER THERE WAS A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN JURISDICTION.
NOTHING ABOUT EARLY VOTING, VOTE BY MAIL.
OR THE HOST OF THINGS THAT COULD MITIGATE NOT ONLY THE REGISTRATION RATES BUT THE TURNOUT.
I COULD NOT WIPE OUT THE SIGNIFICANT EFFECT OF DIVIDED ADMINISTRATION ON ELECTIONS ON THESE REGISTRATION AND TURNOUT EFFECTS.
MY SUSPICIONS ARE THEY ARE INEFFICIENT AND THAT THEY TEND TO CREATE WHAT I CALL DISPARITIES.
MANY PEOPLE WERE MAILED BALLOTS IN THIS ELECTION.
IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
IN MANY JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE NEVER USED ABSENTEE MAIL THIS BALLOTS THE ADDRESS DIDN'T USE ONE D IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX.
FIRST CLASS MAIL MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN DELIVERED.
VOTER LIST ARE NOT ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY THE ELECTION OFFICIALS AS THEY MAIL OUT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MR. HOLLAND AND WYNN DO NOT MRS. BENNETT.
HAVING THAT LIST IN ONE LOCATION MEANS THAT CAN BE CURED.
WHEN A PERSON REQUEST A MAIL BALLOT AND THE ADDRESS DOESN'T MATCH UP , THE ELECTION OFFICIAL CAN CURE THAT LIST.
IF A LETTER COMES BACK RECIPIENT UNKNOWN.
I COULD GO THROUGH EMIR IDEA OF OTHER WAYS IN WHICH INEFFICIENCIES ARISE.
IT'S NOT ABOUT WORKING AGAINST BLACK OR HIS PANIC OR YOUNG OR PEOPLE WHO MOVE A LOT.
THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT GET CAUGHT WITH VOTER REGISTRATION ADDRESSES THAT ARE INACTIVE OR NOT UP TO DATE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR ALL OF THE WORK ON THIS.
HANGING UP ON MY COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS NOT A PROBLEM.
I CAN ONLY PROMISE YOU THE BEST WORK.
IF I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE BEST EVIDENCE AND TRUTH, I WON'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING.
>> FIRST OFF, LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING I WISH THE VALUE OF VOTING WAS TAKEN SERIOUS BY THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
THE VOTERS IN MARCH VOTED FOR DIANE AND ANTHONY HARRIS.
THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY VOTE AND YOU ARE SAYING I DON'T CARE YOU WHO VOTE THE DO THIS WE'RE GOING TO SELECT SOMEBODY.
I CAN'T STAND IT WHEN PEOPLE USE JEFF CROW, JEFF CROW.
>> THESE ELECTED OFFICERS HAVE DUTIES THAT THE VOTERS ASSIGN TO THEM.
YOU ALL ARE SO DISINGENERALLOUS IN THIS PROCESS.
YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING DO A STUDY AND YOU WENT ON TO CREATE THE POSITION.
EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE ASK, I DON'T THINK IT COUNTS.
I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS AND THEN SAY NONPARTISAN.
WHEN DO THEY HAVE TO BECOME NONPARTISAN? TWO SECONDS BEFORE THEY TAKE THE OATH.
YOU CAN GIVE DONATIONS UP UNTIL THE LAST HOUR.
THIS WHOLE THING, SHE HAD TO RESIGN FOR MAIL FRAUD.
I HAD A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU GOING INTO THIS.
BUT I LOST A LOT WHEN YOU PROPOSED THAT YOU APPOINT SOMEONE WHO -- [INAUDIBLE] THE POLICE CHIEF IS HIRED BY THE MAYOR.
[00:45:02]
HE HAS NOT COVERED HIMSELF IN GLORY THIS YEAR.THE HEAD OF THE DE-WHO JERKED SCHOOLS AROUND AND MADE REOPENING DIFFICULT.
AND IS IGNORING A LOT OF THINGS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN ASKING FOR.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU THINK IT'S PROGRESS TOW APPOINT A POSITION RATHER THAN HAVE THE PEOPLE ELECT THE POSITION F.
THE POSITION IS ELECTED THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE VOTERS.
OTHERWISE WE DON'T GET A SAY IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE'RE SAYING.
I WOULD URGE YOU CONSIDER LETTING THIS POSITION BE ELECTED NOT APPOINTED.
ITSELF DEALING YOU ARE DECIDING TO PULL OUT OF ELECTED RESPONSIBILITIES AND PUT THEM UNDER YOUR AEGIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO Y'ALL BEFORE AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT YOU HAD AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SPEAKING TODAY.
I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE TODAY SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE YOU EVER VOTED.
I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE TODAY THAT DISCUSSED THE VALUE OF THIS NEW POSITION SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO A TOWN HALL.
I REMEMBER YOU REQUIRING DIANE TO TAKE IT TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THREE TO SIX MONTHS NO N TOWN HALLS TO INFORM AND OFFER TRANSPARENCY TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND I'M SURPRISED YOU DIDN'T DO IT WITH THIS.
BECAUSE HAD YOU HAD THESE PEOPLE SPEAK, I THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD INSTEAD OF JUST LISTENING TO RODNEY TALK ABOUT HOW FEW PHONE CALLS HE MADE.
THAT WAS TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND BASING YOUR OPINION ON WHAT I HEARD RODNEY SAY WITH HIS PHONE CALLS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAY WITH HIS PHONE CALLS.
WITH ZERO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRIOR TO THE VOTE ON ELECTION DAY ON JULY 14TH.
>> I WANTED TO ASK WHAT THE COST OF THE ADDITIONAL STAFF, OFFICE, INFRASTRUCTURE, ADDITION DIVISIONS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE CREATED BECAUSE OF THIS.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CONCEPT IN THAT REPORT, TABLE IT UNTIL JANUARY.
ALSO WILL IT BE STAFF REGISTRATIONS BEGIN UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OR ARE THEY GOING TO LOSE THEIR JOBS? ALSO WILL ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR BE PAID THE SAME AS THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESS SUPPORT? LAND ONE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED RUNNING ELECTIONS WITH COUNTY WIDE VOTING? THERE IS NO ELECTION AFTER THIS UNTIL MAY 21, WHAT IS THE BIG RUSH? WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER NOVEMBER 3 AND LET THE CLERK BE PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE INTERIM COUNTY CLERK CLERC CHOOSE THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR?
>> DO WE HAVE A PROCESS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> JUDGE, WE ARE LOOKING AT SEVERAL ASPECTS OF IT AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE SIZE OF THESE OPERATIONS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WELL OVER 100 EMPLOYEES.
I THINK WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IS THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHEREBY DEPENDING ON HOW YOU WANT TO GO ABOUT IT, IT MIGHT COST MORE OR MIGHT COST LESS.
YOU'LL FIND SOME EFFICIENCIES ARE GOING TO BE REALIZED AND THE OTHER
[00:50:06]
EXPENSES VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA RAISED.I THINK YOU WOULD BE JUSTIFIED IN SEVERAL NEW POSITIONS TO PRODUCE THAT AND THAT REQUIRES MORE MONEY.
I THINK IT WILL ALSO POKES INITIALLY ACCOMPLISH MORE WHILE YOU ARE DOING.
THAT IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT QUESTION AT THIS POINT.
>> I MENTIONED WHEN THIS CAME UP IN THE FIRST GO AROUND IN MARCH THAT I TALKED TO JUDGE WOLF AND JUDGE JENKINS IN DALLAS COUNTY.
I THINK IT WAS DONE ON THEIR WATCHES.
YOU LOOK AT THE WAY IT WAS DONE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.
EITHER DALLAS OR AS SOON AS SAN ANTONIO, I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO FIND THERE IS COST INVOLVED IN TRANSITIONING.
SOME WILL BE ONE POINT COST AND SOME ONGOING.
THERE WILL BE SAVINGS DEPENDING WHERE THE VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER ROLE IS COMBINED INTO ONE OPERATION WHERE THERE IS ONE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THAT.
THAT WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.
AT IF SAME TIME I THINK YOU WILL FIND OTHER OPERATIONS WHERE THERE WILL BE COST SAVINGS.
>> IF AT SOME POINT THERE IS NEED FOR A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT OR SOMEBODY, YOU'LL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON THAT IF YOU NEED SOME GUIDANCE?
>> THE REPORT WE'RE PREPARING INCLUDE ACE RECOMMENDATION THAT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS BE HIRED TO ASSIST THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR DESIGNEE IN SETTING UP MOST OPERATIONAL HE CAN GET.
>> >> FIRST I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF NAACP AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY.
I'M SPEAKING MORE FROM A MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW.
I'VE SPENT MOST OF MY CAREER MANAGING IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
I CAN TELL FROM YOU A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE, NO ONE WOULD HAVE CREATED AN INSTITUTION THAT WOULD SEPARATE TWO MAJOR OPERATIONS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK IN CONGRUENT WITH EACH OTHER.
I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBT THAT FROM A MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW THIS IS THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO ALL UNDER ONE UMBRELLA UNDER ONE MANAGER AND THAT MANAGER NEEDS TO BE A PERSON WHO IS NOT A POLITICIAN, BECAUSE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS TECHNOLOGICAL AGE, WE NEED A PERSON, BASED ON THE PAST, I WAS A COMPUTER ANALYST AND I CAN TELL YOU WITH US BOTH IN REGISTRATION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ONLINE REGISTRATION AT SOME POINT.
>> DEAN OF LAW SCHOOL, I THINK WANTED TO WRAP UP QUICKLY.
>> FROM A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE AND FROM A TECHNOLOGICAL AND PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE YOU NEED BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO UNDERSTAND THIS TECHNOLOGY
[00:55:05]
AS NEEDS TO BE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA.>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE THE WEIGH IN ON THIS.
FROM YOUR STANDPOINT ASKING TO YOU PUT YOUR NAACP HAT ON, YOU FIND THAT THIS MOVE OF THIS NATURE WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT ENHANCES CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN WE'RE ASKING THEM TO COME FORWARD AND CAST BALLOTS?
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROFESSOR STEIN INDICATED IN HIS STUDY IS THAT IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VOTERS.
ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT INCREASES THE NUMBER OF VOTERS , THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS IS GOING TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT.
WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPLACE REDIRECT EXAMINATION PEOPLE OF MINOR MINORITIES.
WHATEVER WE DO IF IT IMPROVES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE
NUMBER OF -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS DR. DOUGLAS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONER.
AS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE AME CHURCH, I AM CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE I FEEL WE NEED A ONE STOP SHOP WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTION.
WHEN EVERYTHING IS UNDER ONE UMBRELLA, YOU HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES AND PROVIDE A MORE STREAMLINED PROCESS.
WE MUST MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD.
>> I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU REGARDING THE UNELECTED ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
I WANT TO SAY THIS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
PLEASE STOP USING WORDS THAT DIVIDE US, RACE ITCH.
JIM CROW, POLL TAX, THOSE WERE ENDED OVER 50 YEARS AGO.
TODAY ANYONE CAN VOTE IN TEXAS WITH ONE OF SEVERAL I.D.'S AT NO CHARGE F.
YOU DON'T HAVE ONE OF THOSE, YOU CAN FILL OUT A STATEMENT AND SHOW AN ORIGINAL OR EVEN A COPY OF SEVERAL OTHER FORMS OF I.
IS IT VOTER SUPPRESSION OR IS IT UNANTICIPATED VOTER TURNOUT, NEW VOTING MACHINES, LACK OF PREDICTIVE MODEL.
ALLOWING PEOPLE TO VOTE AT ANY LOCATION WHICH LENGTH TENNESSEE LINE.
WHY IS RACISM MENTIONED AT ALL.
IT'S BECAUSE IT'S INFLAMMATORY.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO REDIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SYSTEMIC.
THAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL HORRIBLE HATEFUL FEELING INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT THE RATIONAL ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES.
START WITH TELLING US HOW YOU ARE GOING TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM FOR EVERYONE AND LET US KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> FROM THE STUDY I HAVE LOOKED AT, I HAVE SEEN WHERE APPOINTED ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WORKED IN NO COUNTY OR CITY AS OF YET.
NOW DO I BELIEVE PEOPLE DO HAVE A VOICE SO I LIKE PEOPLE DO.
[01:00:09]
THIS I DON'T LIKE APPOINTING SOMEONE IN.TO ME THAT'S LIKE SAYING -- [INAUDIBLE] I CAN'T SEE HOW THE IS GOING TO MAKE IT NO BETTER AT THE BALLOT.
IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS, I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING , THE THREE OF YOU, WE WILL SEE YOU AT THE BALLOT IN 2022.
>> ON BEHALF OF TEXAS, I WOULD LIKE TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE CREATION OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.
NOT ONLY DOES CURRENT SYSTEM STRAIT FROM OUR JIM CROW RARE PAST, IT MAKES GETTING REGISTERED TO VOTE LESS EFFICIENT FOR RESIDENT.
HARRIS COUNTY RIGHT NOW RANKS NINTH OUT OF TEN LARGE COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND PERCENTAGE OF GROWTH FROM NOVEMBER 2016 UNTIL MARCH 2020.
IT'S CRITICAL WE HAVE ONE OFFICE DEVOTED TO ENSURING -- [INAUDIBLE] SUCH A DRASTIC CHANGE COMES CONCERNS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND VOTING RIGHTS CAN BE IMPACTFUL.
THE INITIATIVE HAS BEEN A LEADING EXAMPLE OF HOW COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE EXPAND VOTING RIGHTS AND ACCESSIBILITY.
IT WILL BE STEAL THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR SHARES THE SAME COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND I'M CONFIDENT THE JUDGE AND COMMISSION WILL MAKE THAT A PORTFOLIO.
GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
AND I JUST WANT TO PICK UP ON SOME OF THE THINGS I SPOKE ABOUT ON THE LAST TIME I CALLED IN.
I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A GOAL SET FOR 100% VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE COUNTY FOR THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
THIS SHOULD BE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED AS PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS.
I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE ARE CLEAR THAT IT'S NOT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE SELECTING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
BUT THE ELECTION BOARD SHOULD HAVE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD AND SHOULD BE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD SET UP ONCE THE ADMINISTRATOR IS HIRED.
I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A DEDICATED ATTORNEY TASK FROM THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE ON VOTE PROCEDURE TEXT ISSUES AND THEN FINALLY I THINK THERE SHOULD BE BUILT IN TO THE PROCESS SOME FREE AND CLEAR ASKS THAT WE CAN HAVE ELECTION LOCATION POLLING LOCATIONS CHANGES WITHOUT SOME KIND OF PRECLEARANCE OR APPROVAL BY THE ELECTION BOARD AND OR COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO TERM LIMITS OR SOME KIND OF MULTIYEAR REVIEW.
I AGREE THE ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGULARLY.
>> I THINK WHAT PASSED IN THE LAST COURT, HE BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT.
IT IS THE BOARD THAT WOULD BE OVERSEEING THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
COMMISSIONERS COURT CAN DECIDE THE POSITION AT ANY TIME.
AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SO THIS COMING TUESDAY IS WHEN THESE WILL BRING BACK THE ASSESSMENT AS TO WHAT THIS EXACTLY WOULD ENTAIL.
AT THAT POINT COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF THE REPORT AND PLAN BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN A TOWN HALL OR TWO TOWN HALLS ABOUT THIS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE FEEDBACK BEFORE THAT FINAL VOTE.
>> FOUNDER AND CHAIR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE TIS AND HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL.
[01:05:13]
[INAUDIBLE] SOME OF THE LARGEST POPULATIONS OF MOST DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITIES IN THIS REGION AND COUNTRY.NOT ONLY THOSE OUT OF THE IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS BUT THOSE IMPACTED BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
HAVING A POSITION SUCH AS THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR ENSURES FAIR EQUITY AND EQUALITY AND ACCESS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO OFTEN TIMES FACE STRATEGIC AND OFTEN TIMES PLANNED DISENFRANCHISEMENT BY ENTITIES AND POLITICAL FORCES THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOING TO THE POLLS.
I BELIEVE HAVING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WOULD ENSURE WE'RE NOT ONLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE COMMUNITIES, WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES AS CITIZENS OF A COUNTRY THAT IS TRYING TO BE MORE EQUITABLE AND FAIR.
LASTLY HAVING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY WOULD ENSURE WE CREATE MAJOR IMPACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GUIDING AND AADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY ACROSS OUR REGION IN WAYS THAT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL NOT ONLY FOR HARRIS COUNTY BUT ACROSS OUR STATE.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS GULF COAST LABOR FEDERATION.
AS A FEDERATION OF 60,000 UNIONIZED WORKING PEOPLE, OUR INTEREST IS IN WHATEVER INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO INCREASE VOTER EDGE ADMINISTRATION AND RUN ELECTIONS FAIRLY.
IF IT'S GOING MAKE REGISTRATION EASIER, LINES LONGER, MINIMIZE VOTER SUPPRESSION WE'RE FOR IT.
FOR THAT REASON WE'RE HOPEFUL PLACING ELECTION RESPONSIBILITIES IN ONE OFFICE WILL IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR DEMOCRACY.
IN OUR RESEARCH WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND STRONG EVIDENCE THAT COUNTIES WITH ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS ARE CENTERED WITH HIGHER RATES OF VOTER TURNOUT.
WE ALSO THINK IN THIRD MOST POPULACE COUNTY IN THE U.S.
A DEPARTMENT ON ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS FAIRLY COULD HANDLE THOSE TASK MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN TWO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS THAT ALSO DEAL WITH TAXES AND COURT RECORDS SO ON.
HAVING SAID THAT, SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCOUNTABLABILITY WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS OTHER COUNTIES HAVE DONE.
THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CHARGED TO WORK THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
REVIEW DATA ON PROGRESS AND MONTHLY MEETINGS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE ADMINISTRATOR.
AND I'M GLAD -- I PUT IN A CALL TO THE JUDGE OVER IN DALLAS.
I THINK MY STAFF IS LOOKING INTO IT AND THEY ARE TALKING TO STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR DIGGING INTO THIS.
DID YOU HAVE A WRAPUP OR DID YOU FINISH YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS?
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF VOTER EXPANSION OF THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
I I'D LIKE TO MAKE THREE QUICK POINTS IN SUPPORT OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.
THE FIRST IS JUST THAT AS YOU ALL KNOW HOW VOTING ROLES WITHIN THE TAX DEPARTMENT IS AN OUT DATED SYSTEM THAT IS AN EXTENSION OF JIM CROW RARE.
THAT WERE DESIGNED TO DISENFRANCHISE HIGHS BLACK VOTERS.
IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON FROM THAT.
THE SECOND POINT IS ABOUT SPECIALIZATION.
HAVING WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, I GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE BENEFITS TO SPECIALIZATION AND I THINK HAVING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR POSITION FOCUS ON THE RUNNING OF ELECTIONS WHICH AS WE'RE SEEING IN 2020 IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES A LOT OF FOCUS AND RESOURCES AND A LOT OF EXPERTISE.
[01:10:03]
THIRD POINT IS COMMUNICATIONS.FOLKS STRONG GO TO A TAX ASSESS SUPPORT OFFICE TO LEARN ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION IS CONFUSING.
IN A WORLD WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET AS MANY FOLKS REGISTERED AS POSSIBLE AND TRY TO MAKE ET AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA DON'T MAKE ME HAVE TO CALL CLAWED.
MY QUESTION WHY HAS A FINAL DECISION BEEN MADE TO HIRE AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OFFICER? WITH THE WORKERS DOING THESE JOBS HAVE -- [INDISCERNIBLE] WHY CAN'T ALL OF THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THIS POSITION THE FILLED? NEXT QUESTION.
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN HEAR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COUNTY WHERE THIS WORKS AND DOES NOT WORK AND FIND OUT WHY? AND I DON'T TOTALLY DISAGREE CREATING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE.
BUT I HAVE -- A LOT OF US DON'T APPRECIATE THE PROCESS THAT'S BEING CONDUCTED.
WE NEED TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION AND SPEND MORE TIME STUDYING THIS.
>> TO GO THROUGH AGAIN , THE MOTION AT THE LAST COURT TWO COURTS AGO WAS TO BE ABLE TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE SO THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH STUDYING IT AND PLANNING FOR IT.
BUT IT WAS A SAFETY VALVE IS WHAT WE CALLED IT COMING BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT THIS NEXT TUESDAY WHERE WE WILL VOTE THE GO FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS FOR AN ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW WE STILL NEED TO VOTE AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR IT TO BE COMPLETE.
AS FAR AS THE TIMING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU HAD A COMMENT YOU NEEDED TO MAKE SURE AND KEEP THE CURRENT ELECTION SETUP FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ELECTION IS CONDUCTED WELL.
WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND BRING ANYWAY PERSON RUNNING FOR CLERK KNOWS THEY ARE RUNNING TO HAVE THE DUTIES OF CLERK, NOT THE ELECTORAL DUTIES.
THAT WAS THE TIMING THAT WE WERE TRYING TO THREAD THE NEEDLE THROUGH WHICH IS WHY THE IDEA IS TO START SOMEONE UP AT SOME POINT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 3 OR 4 AND JANUARY 1 AND TO BE ABLE TO START THE SEARCH SOONER RATHER THAN LATE SORE THIS PERSON CAN OBSERVE THE ELECTION PROCESS IN NOVEMBER AND LEARN FROM THAT.
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING FOLKS ABOUT THAT.
FINDING THE TIME TO DO THIS IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.
I THINK WHERE WE'RE AT IS ABOUT THE BEST THAT WE CAN EXPECT.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE GIVING WHOEVER THIS PERSON WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT BE IN THE MIDST OF AN ELECTION OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS LEADERSHIP.
I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HIM PRIOR TO THIS CALL.
I'M GRATEFUL HE'S WILLING TO STEP IN WITHOUT INTENTION TO GO FROM CARE TAKER TO BEING
[01:15:01]
A CANDIDATE.I JUST REALLY APPLAUD HIS WORK.
>> I WILL ALSO MENTION AT THE PREVIOUS COURT THAT JIM SPOKE TO ME ABOUT IT MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.
IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR BOB SAY HE BROUGHT IT UP HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE SO I DIDN'T BRING IT UP UNTIL MY FOURTH YEAR.
I THINK AFTER THE RULES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONG TIME AND ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM.
I MUST ADMIT THAT DURING THIS PERIOD OF RACIAL RECONCILIATION THAT WAS IN MY MIND AS WELL.
CLEARLY WHOEVER IS RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND RUNNING IN NOVEMBER, I WANT THEM TO KNOW WHAT IT IS THEY ARE RUNNING FOR WHILE THEY ARE RUNNING.
>> TIME TEXAS STATE DIRECTOR FOR NATIONAL NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION.
WE SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO A HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AND THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WE NEED TO HAVE AN OFFICE THAT HANDLES ALL THINGS RELATED TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS TO FACILITATE PARTICIPATION FOR OUR VOTERS.
THIS TRANSITION IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY RECOGNIZE HARRIS COUNTY HISTORY OF SUPPRESSING THE VOTES OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE HOPE IDENTIFIES AS STRONG CANDIDATES -- [INDISCERNIBLE] THIS INDIVIDUAL THAT IS APPOINT #-D NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE DIVERSE VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MINIMIZE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE SERVE INDIVIDUALS, YOUNG VOTERS, NATURALIZED CITIZENS AND WORK TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AND TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH.
WE ALSO COMMEND THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WORKS WITH THE GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED IN ELECTION PARTICIPATION IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS CONVERSATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT TO WEIGH IN ON.
THIS I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I WAS WORKING TO GET FROM DR. STEIN THE HOPEFUL ATTENTION THAT THE LATIN X COMMUNITY WOULD GET OUT OF THIS PROCESS AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING ON A DAY IN DAY OUT BASIS WILL ALSO HAVE THE BAND WIDTH TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO A COMMUNITY THAT STILL IS NOT VOTE PROGRESS PORTION GNAT SO TO THE ITS DEMOGRAPHIC SIZE.
SO I'M WATCHING THIS VERY CAREFULLY.
I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT THIS PROCESS THAT WE WILL BE UNDER TAKING WOULD BE ONE THAT WILL POTENTIALLY LEAD US TO A BETTER PLACE IN TERMS OF ENGAGING COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR VOICE.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A SYSTEM THAT ENCOURAGES MORE PARTICIPATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
>> I WANT TO THANK ANGELICA AS WELL AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE NAACP.
THEY ARE GOING TO PUT UP SOME BILL BOARDS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO LOOK AT THAT MONUMENT THAT THE COUNTY PUT OVER IN HER MAN PARK.
THEY WANTED A SOCIAL JUSTICE MESSAGE.
GO SEE THE MONUMENT AND GO VOTE.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK THEY ARE DOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING KNOW SPEAK.
I WAS DISGUSTED BY THE STANDARD, LACK OF VOTING MACHINES IN ALL COMMUNITIES THAT PROVIDED AAPPROPRIATE ACCESS, DISTRIBUTION OF FUNCTION MACHINES IN
[01:20:04]
MINORITY AREAS, MAIL IN BALLOTS THAT WERE NEVER SENT OUT, INCORRECT POSTAGE MADE ME FEEL THE ELECTIONS WERE TRULY POLITICIZED.WHILE THE PROCESS HAS BEEN PROBLEM MATTOCK GET TO THIS POINT, HAVING THIS MEETING TO DECIDE THIS DURING AN ELECTION DAY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF NOT HAVING ALL THE EXPERTISE YOU COULD HAVE HAD.
I DO THINK HAVING THIS IS A STRONG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IMPORTANTLY A CAREFUL SELECTION OF THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL IS CRITICAL.
SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE AND INDEPENDENT AND NONPARTISAN ELECTORAL PROCESS IS CRUCIAL.
LITTLETH LITERALLY YOU ARE CREATING A STAR.
PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO GETTING THE RIGHT PERSON.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE LEAGUE OF LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS.
NATION'S OLDEST AND LARGEST HISPANIC ORGIZATION.
ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERSHIP I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY YOU HAVE SUPPORT OF CONSOLIDATING DUTIES INTO ONE POSITION IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
FOR NINE YEARS WE'VE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN ELECTIONS.
[INDISCERNIBLE] RESPONSIBILITIES THE OFFICE ASSUMES THE MERGER OF THESE DUTIES INTO ONE OFFICE.
WE FEEL HAD A MORE EFFICIENT MANNER.
ALSO PROMOTES PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTION PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU FOR -- I THINK THE FIRST TIME WE MET WAS -- I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT AND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HELP US ENSURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD ENGAGEMENT AND GOOD INPUT TO THIS OFFICE MOVES FORWARD THAT YOU WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE CAN COUNT ON TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INPUT AND PERSPECTIVE.
ENGAGE AND MOTIVATE THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.
>> THIS ISSUE HAS NOT GONE BEFORE THE GENERAL COMMUNITY.
THE INFORMATION THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD ON FACEBOOK LAST FRIDAY WAS LIMITED AND CONTROLLED.
THAT WAS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY FROM THE BEGINNING AND STILL THE COMMUNITY IS NOT ABREAST OF THIS ISSUE THAT TAKING THE RIGHT AWAY FROM FIVE MILLION VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PUT IN THE HAND OF FIVE PEOPLE.
THE COMMUNITY STILL HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED IN A PROPER MANNER NOR ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS.
THE RIGHT OF THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKE AN WAY AND WE WILL REMEMBER THIS DURING ELECTION TIME FOR ALL THIS DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
THIS PROCESS FAILED ANYWAY LOT OF OTHER COUNTIES.
WE WILL BE SEEING YOU ALL AT THE BALLOT IN 2022.
THOSE THAT ARE NOT COMPUTER LITERATE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROCESS AT ALL.
IT'S UNFAIR AND UNDERHAND AND WE'LL BE SEEING YOU ALL AT THE BALLOT IN 2022.
>> I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO CREATE AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.
[01:25:02]
BASICALLY TAKE AGO WAY THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE TO CHOOSE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ELECTIONS DIRECTLY.IT DIRECTS TWO ELECTED AGENCIES OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
IT'S GOING TO CREATE A PROBLEM WHERE YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES OF TWO DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT PASS OVERTIME BECAUSE OF THE REGS.
WITH ALL THE COUNTIES ABOVE THEM.
THAT MEANS THERE IS GOING TO BE -- DISCERN AND CLEARLY COUNTY OFFICES THAT ARE USING TO DO MULTIPLE TASK.
YOU HAD TWO DIFFERENT COUNTY JUDGES.
BOTH THOSE GENTLEMEN SAID IT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE VOTERS RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHO THE IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ELECTIONS.
THIS HAS BEEN A BIFURCATED PROCESS FOR A LONG TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONE ENTITY HAD ALL THE POWER OVER THAT MOST SACK RED RIGHT TO VOTE.
I WILL BE FOLLOWING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS AND WILL FILE WRITTEN TESTIMONY WITH THIS COURT.
DELAY IN ERRORS AND VOTER REGISTRATION GO FROM RADICALLY DIFFERENT DATA BASES AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL.
A NEW REGISTRATION FLOWS UP FROM HARRIS COUNTY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHERE A LIVE CHECK IS RUN AGAINST STATE POLICE AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE DATA BASES.
OTHERWISE TAX OFFICE EMPLOYEES HAVE PRIVILEGES ON THE B MAX SYSTEM IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WHERE IT EFFICIENTLY SPORTS EARLY VOTING, ABSENTEE VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING.
THE WEIRD DELAYS IN OUT VOTING HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
THERE IS NOTHING NONPARTISAN ABOUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN TEXAS.
INDEED THIS IS A ORGANIZATION OF COMPUTER MEDIATED VOTE SUPPRESSION INITIATIVES.
AND APPOINTED ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR IS SUBJECT TO BEING MICRO MANAGED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE ESPECIALLY NEXT YEAR WHEN THIS APPOINTEE OF THE GOVERNOR WILL BE DOLING OUT FEDERAL FUNDS WITH REPLACEMENT OF VOTING MACHINES.
>> THIS WAS JOHN ROBERT BURRMAN.
>> I'M WAITING FOR ONE CALLER.
>> WE HAVE MAX MILLER ON THE LINE AND HIS CALL DROPPED OFF AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET HIM BACK ON.
>> THERE IS AN EMAIL ADDRESS AS WELL WHERE FOLKS CAN SUBMIT WRITTEN STATEMENTS.
THEY CAN ALWAYS EMAIL OUR OFFICES.
>> COULD I HAVE SOME CLARIFICATION ON THE TIME LINE? IF WE OF COURSE THERE IS GOING TO BE A BOARD THAT IS GOING TO APPOINT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
AND WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT BOARD.
THE QUESTION IS AND I'VE HEARD YOU SAY THAT YOU JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER IT WAS THAT RUNNING FOR THIS COMING ELECTION KNEW THAT THEY WOULD
[01:30:04]
POTENTIALLY NOT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ELECTIONS PROCESS BECAUSE THIS BODY HAD PUT IN AN APPOINTED POSITION.BUT WOULD NOT THE PERSON THAT IS RUNNING TYPICALLY HAVE AT LEAST THE AUTHORITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS.
IS IT THE PLAN OF THIS BODY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PRIOR F SO WE WILL HAVE AN APPOINTED PERSON OF THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE THAT COULD NOT BECOME UNAPPOINTED UNLESS FOUR MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE INNER DISAGREEMENT LATER ON IN TERMS OF WHEN WILL THIS BODY ANTICIPATE HAVING THE POSITION IN PLACE SO WHETHER OR NOT AN ELECTED PERSON WOULD BE MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OR WHETHER AN APPOINTED PERSON WOULD BE MAKING PART OF THE DECISION OF THE APPOINTMENT.
>> MY ADVICE WOULD BE THAT AS SOON AS THE BOARD FINDS SOMEONE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THEY SHOULD MAKE A DECISION.
I WOULD LIKE THE PERSON TO BE HERE TO OBSERVE THIS ELECTORAL PROCESS BECAUSE OF THE SIZE AND NATURE OF IT.
AND FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF SOMEONE WHO HAD TO PUT THAT NAME ON THE BALLOT SINCE 183 I HAVE A LITTLE EXPERIENCE ON IT.
WITH THAT SAID, MY INTENT AND MY HOPE IS THAT AS SOON AS THE RIGHT PERSON CAN BE LOCATED, HAVE THEM IN PLACE TO WATCH THIS PROCESS GO FORWARD.
THERE IS NOBODY ELSE AVAILABLE.
>> YOU COULDN'T GET DR. MILLER? DR. MAX MILL SENATOR.
AND WE CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE AGAIN.
WE'VE CALLED THREE OR FOUR TIMES ON EACH ONE THAT HAVEN'T ANSWERED.
>> THEY CAN CERTAINLY SAY SOMETHING SIGN UP AT THE NEXT COURT.
>> I'VE NOT ENGAGED IN COL EQUITY WITH ANY OF OUR SPEAKERS TODAY.
NOR IS OUR ELECTED COUNTY CLERK, NOR WHO STEPPED DOWN NOR OUR ELECTED TAX ASSESS SUPPORT COLLECTOR OF MY PARTY.
BUT I BELIEVE FIRMLY IN THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND IN THE ABILITY OF THE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO ELECT THOSE WHO ARE MAKING THESE IMPORTANT CRITICAL DECISIONS.
AND I DID NOT WANT TO BELABOR THE POINT BUT AFTER THE SPEAKERS SPOKE, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS CLEAR ON.
THAT I VERY MUCH RESPECT AND APPRECIATE DR. STEIN AND HIS RESEARCH AND THE QUESTION IS AT -- I THINK I DISAGREE WITH ONE OR TWO OF THE SPEAKERS THAT SAID THE MOST EFFICIENT SWAY THE BEST WAY.
I THINK MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER ELLIS MANY TIMES SAID THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY IS NOT THE BEST WAY ON OTHER SUBJECTS.
THE QUESTION HERE IS ABOUT JUSTICE AND I THINK THAT THE ABILITY OF THE PEOPLE TO
[01:35:06]
WEIGH IN IS IMPORTANT AND PARAMOUNT AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT MY POSITION WAS CLEAR ON THAT POINT.AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT SAID AT LEAST I'M CONSISTENT.
I WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN OTHER JUDGES WERE PERHAPS PUSHING IT AND I'M STILL IN THE BELIEF THAT NO MATTER WHO OR WHAT PARTY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE OF, THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY THEY NEED TO HAVE.
THAT'S AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WILL SOMETIMES SAY MINDS WILL OCCASIONALLY DISAGREE AND ON THIS ONE I DISAGREE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOUR HONOR.
YOU SAID NO MORE SPEAKERS CORRECT?
>> NO, MA'AM, WE CAN'T GET AHOLD OF ANY OF THE OTHERS.
>> THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS -- [INAUDIBLE] BRINGING BACK THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH THEY'VE FOUND.
SO WE'LL KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT.
HOPEFULLY FOLKS BRING IT ON TIME THERE.
BARRING ANYONE HAVING KNOWING ADD COMMISSIONERS.
>> JUDGE, I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE MIDNIGHT OR SO LAST WEEK.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?
>> LET HIM NOT KEEP US HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TODAY.
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.
DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS GOING TO BE?
>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME FREE TIME ON YOUR HANDS.
COULD HE GET APPOINTED TO THAT WITH ALL THAT PAST EXPERIENCE?
THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF THESE POSITION ARE PREDETERMINED.
I WAS JUST ASKING IF ANYBODY KNEW INSIDE YET.
>> I'D KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON YOU.
PEOPLE KEEP TELLING ME YOU AND I ARE MORE ALIKE THAN WE REALIZE.
AND ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.