Reports of False Election Officials Intimidating Voters Widens to 13 NY Counties; Texas Eliminates the Election Office in its Biggest County

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 6, 2023

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The scope of the New York election official impersonation story has widened.  And in Texas, the state legislature just dismantled its largest county’s election office.

First to New York, where 13 counties now report that activists showed up at homes demanding to see ID and accusing voters of being registered in more than one county.  A co-chair of the New York Board of Elections said: “These individuals are impersonating government officials in an effort to intimidate voters based on inaccurate and misleading information.” 

The Board asked New York state residents to report suspicious encounters QUOTE,  “. . . the State Board recommends collecting as much information as possible, not providing the individual with any personal information, and contacting local law enforcement to report the incident.” UNQUOTE  No arrests have been made, or the coordinating group confirmed.

Friday, the State of Texas eliminated the position of election director for Harris County, home to the liberal-leaning city of Houston, after organizational problems in the 2022 midterms.  Election responsibility now falls on the county’s clerk and tax collector, just six weeks prior to early voting for County Elections starts in October.    The legislature gave the state specific  authority to take this Harris County action earlier this summer, paired with another law allowing the state to take control of county elections when complaints are filed by county or party officials, or candidates. 

We have more on both stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
New York Elections Board – State Board of Elections warns New York voters against impersonation of County
WXXI – Election officials warn of people impersonating staff, confronting voters at home
Houston Public Media – Judge temporarily blocks law abolishing Harris County elections administrator’s office; Texas AG files appeal
Texas Tribune – Texas Supreme Court lets state law eliminating Harris County elections chief stand, for now
CNN – Houston-area elections office dismantled as contentious Texas law takes effect
Texas Legislature – SB 1750 
Texas Legislature – SB 1933 

Groups Taking Action:
Texas Civil Rights Project, Houston in Action,  League of Women Voters Houston

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