Election Officials Speak Out Against Threats and Misinformation

Election officials are under increased scrutiny, which is fine; people have a right to understand how we ensure secure and fair elections. However, this scrutiny has crossed a line, with violent threats and false information becoming commonplace, driving officials to resign.

Election officials’ first responsibility is to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the law.

As officials overseeing Travis County's elections, we want voters to understand our work and the integrity of the process. Elections are run by community members who are dedicated to fairness, including registrars, poll workers, judges, and volunteers.

The upcoming 2024 elections will likely bring challenges and increased attention to local officials. It's crucial Texans know their officials abide by a strict code of conduct committing us to fairness, integrity, and impartiality, with a focus on upholding the Constitution and all applicable laws.

We undergo extensive training to remain nonpartisan, establishing public trust in outcomes. Our personal beliefs do not and should not influence our roles; we ensure everyone has their say at the ballot box.

Unfortunately, election officials across the country, including Texas, have received violent threats. While procedures can be questioned, death threats and misinformation are unacceptable, and they erode trust in our democratic process.

Our election processes are transparent – we encourage voters with questions to raise them and watch ballots being counted.

Travis County proactively builds trust, addressing concerns through statements, social media, and public events. However, we can't see all misinformation, so direct engagement with officials is vital.

Our role is to ensure community confidence in the process and the security of our elections. Texans should know their election officials are dedicated to integrity and impartiality and are community members and voters, just like you.

Note: The authors, Ms. Elfant and Ms. Limon-Mercado, are, respectively, the Travis County Tax Assessor/Collector and Clerk, responsible for voter registration and overseeing elections.