Comal Democrats Seek Volunteers for Senior Wellness Phone Bank

If you’re a Comal County Democrat aged 65 or older you might want to take their call.

Comal County Democratic Party is organizing a Senior Wellness Phone Bank of volunteers who will contact seniors and offer to send them an application to vote by mail.

Click here to sign up to make calls during this virtual event, which runs through Friday, June 19.

“The data on those who have been infected with COVID-19 shows that seniors are far more likely to become seriously ill,” said Stephen Baird, a volunteer with the Comal Democrats. “Regardless of best efforts to sanitize the polling areas, many, including myself, are not comfortable to vote in person.”

Baird said response has been excellent from residents he’s reached out to so far. Most ask for an application.

“These are easy calls to make,” he said.

In a press release today, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Texans under the age of 65 they may not claim disability based on fears of contracting COVID-19 to obtain a mail-in ballot.

“As the Texas Supreme Court held, mail ballots based on disability are specifically reserved for those who are legitimately ill and cannot vote in-person without assistance or jeopardizing their health,” he said. “The Texas Election Code is lawful, constitutional, and correctly protects our elections from fraud and voters from disenfranchisement. It is vital that we work together to preserve the integrity of our democratic election process and consistently follow the law established by our legislature.”

Comal County Democrats aren’t happy about that ruling, and they’re not mincing words. In a Facebook post soliciting volunteers, they ask:

“Frustrated, angry, and disgusted by the latest court ruling that blocks Texas voters’ right to qualify to vote by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Put that energy to good use. Because there are Texas voters who do qualify under current guidelines and who we can help protect against this pandemic: Seniors 65+.”

Gloria Meehan, Comal County Democrat Party chair said there’s another solution to the court’s ruling:

“We need a new supreme court here in Texas,” she said. “Good news is there are four, dynamic, diverse democratic women who are running to replace the current slate.”