During training Oct. 8, the Comal County Elections Office warned election judges for both parties that members of an anonymous group called Texas Elections Coalition (TEC) plan to hold up signs at polling locations warning immigrants they could be voting illegally.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 21.
So-called electioneering signs are common at ‘vote centers,’ as they are called in Comal County. By law, signs can only be placed outside a 100-foot perimeter around the polling location. But in most cases, these signs urge voters to support a specific candidate or other ballot initiative.
TEC’s new sign warns voters to “protect yourself” by not voting if they are not citizens.
Comal County spokesperson Cary Zayas said the county learned of the sign through Attorney General Ken Paxton’s website.
“Elections Office Coordinator Cynthia Jaqua contacted the Secretary of State’s office and was told nothing can be done about any groups holding signs as long as they are outside of the 100-foot marker,” she said.
The elections office said there has never been a ballot cast in Comal County by a non-citizen.
TEC, which does not show up on any internet search engines, sources much of its official information from Paxton’s website.
In a PDF titled “Frequently Asked Questions on Signage Foreign Nationals Warning on Registering to Vote and Voting in Texas,” it claims that “whether through ignorance, incompetence or intent,” nonprofit and for-profit entities that work with elderly, students, specific ethic (sic) groups, and foreign-born residents are unintentionally putting “unqualified foreign national(s)” into legal jeopardy by unlawfully registering them to vote.
“This sign is meant to educate these vulnerable individuals and help them avoid consequences affecting their legal presence status and freedom,” TEC said.
Although the English portion of the sign is translated into Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese, a drawing of handcuffed fists appears only beside the Spanish translation.
TEC’s language appears to target nonprofit organizations like the League of Women Voters of the Comal Area, which has registered over 400 voters and provided nonpartisan voting information to thousands of people over the last 100 days.
President Jerrie Champlin isn’t having it.
In a statement, she said every person who registers to vote attests they are a citizen, and the registration application spells out that giving false information is a federal and state crime. The state verifies that the driver’s license or Social Security number used to register is valid.
Texans must show a valid, government-issued photo ID to vote. If they use the temporary driver’s license that legal immigrants can obtain as ID, they must show proof of citizenship. This may happen because the Texas Department of Public Safety is so backed up it can take months to obtain an updated license or ID.
“Do not allow voter silencing efforts to silence your voice, your vote, your opportunity to have a say in decisions that impact your family,” she said. “Our elections are run by local county officials and trained election judges and poll workers from our communities, our neighbors, who faithfully work to provide a safe, accessible and transparent process that respects the will of the people.”
Editor’s Note: The Texas Tribune published the results of an investigation by ProPublica, the Texas Tribune, and Vote Beat on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The investigation found that Texas Gov. Greg Abbot’s assertions about removing 6,500 noncitizens from voter rolls are likely exaggerated and, in some cases, incorrect. Click here to see the article.
