Misinformation, threats on election officials: Our democracy's under fire.

Travis County election officials continue to face violent threats, misinformation, and intense scrutiny amidst preparations for 2024 elections

As election officials in Travis County, we are committed to upholding the integrity of our elections and ensuring every vote counts. In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, we find ourselves under increased scrutiny, which is to be expected. However, this heightened attention has also led to a disturbing trend of violent threats and misinformation targeting election officials across the nation, including here in Texas.

"Election officials’ first responsibility is to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the law. Thousands of us across the country diligently work to ensure fair and secure elections." _Elfant and Limon-Mercado

The job of an election official is strenuous and often thankless, but we are passionate about ensuring our democracy remains strong. We abide by a strict code of conduct that upholds fairness, integrity, and impartiality. We are nonpartisan, and our personal beliefs do not interfere with our duty to the community.

"Election officials are professionals. We undergo extensive training and certification. Our focus is on establishing public trust in election outcomes and ensuring every voter has their say." *Elfant and Limon-Mercado**_

Sadly, despite our efforts, election officials are facing an unprecedented wave of violent threats and harassment, even here in Travis County. This has led to a concerning number of officials resigning, threatening the smooth functioning of our election system.

"It's disheartening to see dedicated public servants targeted by threats and disinformation. Our election processes are transparent, and we encourage voters to observe and ask questions. Misinformation erodes trust in our democratic process." *Elfant**_

"In Travis County, we are fortunate to have the support of our community. We proactively build trust and encourage voters to engage with us directly. However, we know that a single misleading statement or action taken out of context can fuel more threats and misinformation." *Limon-Mercado**_

As we head into the 2024 elections, we ask the people of Travis County to remember that we are your neighbors and community members. We are dedicated to ensuring your votes are counted accurately and fairly. If you have questions or concerns, engage with us directly. Together, we can protect our democracy and ensure every voice is heard.

*Elfant is Travis County Tax Assessor/Collector, responsible for voter registration. Limon-Mercado is Travis County Clerk, responsible for overseeing elections.