Texas Non-Profits Launch Statewide Voter Access Campaign

The Democracy from the Ground Up Coalition launched its campaign on Wednesday to pass 15 voting reforms in 15 counties across the state to increase voter access amidst the November midterm elections. 

According to the coalition, which includes Move Texas, Common Cause Texas, the Texas Civil Rights Project, and the Texas Freedom Network, these tactics were created in response to Texas Republicans’ latest voter suppression legislation.

According to reports, Texas is the most challenging state to vote in, with minority communities, including Black, Latinx, and the disabled experiencing obstacles the most just to cast their ballots. 

“If we cant .trust leaders from the top to protect our vote, then we need to be working from the ground up to build our democracy,” Katya Ehresman, Common Cause Grassroots Organizer, said. 

The 15 tactics include paying poll workers $17 dollars an hour, ensuring counties comply with the American Disabilities Act, promoting curbside voting, creating a polling location at the Harris County jail and additional locations at all Texas college campuses, and diversifying online voter registration training. 

Other tactics include adding staff workers to county elections offices, implementing community input for accurate polling locations, and providing accurate information for voters. 

Remi Garza, Cameron County Elections Administrator, said this campaign to create relationships between elections administrators and the community is long overdue. 

“It’s our responsibility as administrators,” Garza said. “I certainly hope my fellow elections administrators, and county clerks and, tax assets that handle registration are understanding how important it is to engage and not to just be a static office that people have to find.”