Voter Registration Issues in Harris County
Harris County is facing a significant backlog of unprocessed voter registration applications, with over 21,000 applications still pending verification as of October 9. This issue has left many residents, like Caitlin Cicchetpi, frustrated and concerned about their ability to vote in the upcoming election.
Cicchetpi’s Experience
Cicchetpi moved to Harris County from Washington state in June and registered to vote soon after. However, her registration was not confirmed until earlier this week, despite her efforts to reach out to the county, the Texas Secretary of State’s office, and her local state representatives. "The frustrating part was that nobody seemed to be taking it seriously," Cicchetpi said. "It’s really frustrating. Where is the integrity behind the work that’s being done in elections in this state?"
Causes of the Backlog
According to the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar’s office, the backlog is due to two main factors: the state’s rollout of the Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) system and the abrupt closure of Votec, the long-time vendor of voter registration and election software used by Harris County and other counties throughout the state.
Efforts to Address the Issue
The Harris County Tax Office is working to process all pending applications submitted on or before the October 6 deadline. However, the office did not confirm that all applications would be processed in time. "We remain committed to working with the Secretary of State to ensure that our voter rolls are election-ready and that voters are able to cast their ballots in the upcoming election," the office said.
Provisional Ballots
Harris County voters who are unable to confirm their registration at the polling location can still submit a provisional ballot on Election Day. The Harris County Clerk’s Office has more information on its website regarding provisional ballots.
Statewide Issue
Harris County is not alone in facing voter registration backlogs. Other counties, including Fort Bend County and Bexar County, have also reported similar issues. The Texas Secretary of State’s office is working to help counties affected by the abrupt closure of Votec.
Response from the Secretary of State’s Office
A spokesperson for the Texas Secretary of State’s office said that the office is working around the clock to help counties affected by the closure of Votec. "We have all hands on deck to work through these issues," the spokesperson said. "Our team is working nights and weekends to help Harris County and 23 other counties statewide that are facing an unprecedented situation."
Letter to Harris County
On Friday, the Secretary of State’s office sent a letter to Harris County responding to several concerns the county had allegedly brought to the state. The letter stated that the messaging used by the county’s third-party system can be misleading and that the issue is caused by an error in which the county’s equipment did not properly convert files.
Conclusion
The voter registration backlog in Harris County is a significant issue that has left many residents concerned about their ability to vote in the upcoming election. While efforts are being made to address the issue, it remains to be seen whether all pending applications will be processed in time. As Cicchetpi said, "I’m just a voter, I still have work to go do… I also deeply care about the fact that people are not being registered and they’re not being given the opportunity to vote, which is foundational to this country." The importance of ensuring that all eligible voters can cast their ballots cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
