WRITE OF CENTER
Last month, Texans voted on 14 ballot propositions to amend our constitution.
Here in Texas, we have a great election system. It ensures that only eligible voters can cast a vote, that all votes are counted accurately, and ballots are secret. Election integrity is paramount.
The processes are specified, in minute detail, in the Texas Election Code. Election officials are appointed, either by local political parties or county commissioners, depending on the type of election.
Those officials are trained in the Texas Election Code, and how to operate the polling locations. Every poll worker you meet is from Kendall County.
At every polling location in every Texas county, the polls are open for exactly the same period on Election Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For last month’s election, I served as an election judge at the Comfort Baptist Church. Come with me, and I will describe the mechanics of what is done to ensure the integrity of the election process.
I arrived in Comfort at 5:50 a.m. to meet with my colleague for a 6 a.m. setup. Election judges are appointed by our respective political parties, one Republican and one Democrat. As the two judges, we have responsibility for the processes and people at our location.
We checked equipment and documents, verifying dozens of serial numbers from seals on equipment and containers. We signed off on custody documents and conducted equipment startup procedures.
By 6:30 a.m., all our team members had reported for duty, right on time. We were a team of six folks; a dedicated, excellent group who work together for 13 hours.
Before 7 a.m., our team verified that all equipment was operational. We posted signs, placed our materials in designated locations, and verified that we were ready to open. We measured the 100-foot zone where electioneering is prohibited outside our door.
I administered the Oath of Election for all of us, swearing us in for our responsibilities that day. We spoke the oath, and then signed a written version.
We reviewed the procedures for processing voters, including any special circumstances we might encounter. There are very detailed rules about voter identification, for example. We had a quick review, since all of us had been trained beforehand.
We would methodically conduct these processes, with care and courtesy, hundreds of times in the next 12 hours. We focused on conducting the election to the letter of the law, treating each voter with dignity and respect.
We opened promptly at 7 a.m. for our first voters. By closing time, 509 voters had cast their ballots. During the day, we constantly accounted for every single ballot, including blank and spoiled ballots.
There are rules governing our conduct inside the polling location. Mobile phones cannot be used and must be switched to silent, although occasionally a judge may use a mobile phone to handle election issues.
We cannot discuss any political topics. We are among friends, of course, but we need to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot without interference or distraction. We methodically, diligently, and courteously handle every situation per the election code.
By the way, thanks for your kind greetings and support. And thanks for your good humor, we heard some nice laugh lines to lighten things up.
After closing time, we printed reports, applied seals, logged serial numbers, verified our counts, and signed off on custody documents. We took all materials and equipment to the Kendall County Elections Office. Each of our two vehicles had specified contents.
At our destination, we were met by law enforcement officials and directed into the unloading zone. Equipment and documents were inventoried and verified. Finally, we signed custody over to the Elections Office and left.
I arrived home at 9 p.m., 16 after I departed.
Of the 14 propositions on the ballot, Texans approved 13; those become part of our state constitution. Kendall County voters voted to approve 10.
Another successful election in the books. Kudos to all who participated in our great democracy: voters, judges, workers, officials, poll watchers, and assistants. Well done. See you next year!
Scott S. Kramer is a Kendall County Republican.
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