Oppose Tx SB 1750 and HB 3876

Texas Senate Bill 1750 and House Bill 3876 call for the abolition of election administrators in counties with populations greater than one million, but this legislation should be opposed. This bill is not only impractical but also undermines the integrity of these counties' electoral process. Firstly, democracy depends on fair and impartial electoral administration. Election administrators must be experts in their field, capable of handling the logistics of voting and ensuring that all parties involved are aware of deadlines and procedural requirements. By eliminating the position of the election administrator, the legislation would add another layer of bureaucratic red tape and lead to inconsistencies in electoral processes. Moreover, the bills' supporters' claim that they increase accountability is unfounded. The election administrator's position is non-partisan, and they report to the county clerk's office. Because they do not have any immediate ties to elected officials, they are impartial and provide an important layer of checks and balances. In contrast, the county clerk, who is an elected official, has an inherent bias towards their political party. They are responsible for administering voter registrations, administering election day procedures, canvassing ballots, and counting the ballots in close elections. Eliminating the election administrator position increases the chances of political interference in the electoral processes, leading to potential abuse and fraud. The proposed legislation also undermines the efficiency of the electoral process. In counties with populations exceeding one million, election administrators are responsible for managing an overwhelming amount of logistical and administrative work leading up to Election Day. Eliminating this position would mean that the county clerk's office would have to take on these additional responsibilities. Given that these offices are already swamped with other administrative duties, it is unclear how they would absorb the additional workload of voter registration, training poll workers, and ensuring the integrity of the elections. Finally, the proposed legislation contradicts the principles of democracy. Democracy relies on the precept of equal representation. The bills' proposal would lead to an unequal distribution of power, in which one elected official holds sway over the electoral process. Given these arguments, it is clear that the Texas Senate Bill 1750 and House Bill 3876 must be opposed. To protect democracy, electoral processes must be impartial, efficient, and transparent. Requiring independent election administrators to assess electoral proceedings is one of the essential methods of achieving this result. Therefore, it is crucial that the Texans oppose this legislation to safeguard the integrity of their democracy.