Vitalize Democracy; Support Voters
As a native Texan, I have long grieved that Texas has been among the worst states in voter turnout through the years. What a thrill it was then, that in 2020 52% of Texans voted! So many people of both parties worked hard and in creative ways to achieve this accomplishment, even during a pandemic.
The pandemic triggered innovative ways to facilitate voting which, if continued, could promote 2020’s high level of voting. Some of these are drive-by registering and voting and increased use of mail ballots.
Please reject all attempts to make voting more difficult. Several components of recently proposed legislation would make the election site a frightening place, particularly pertaining to partisan poll watchers. Authorizing partisan poll watchers to record practically anyone and anything that happens in a polling location can most surely impede the process and intimidate voters. Holding election judges subject to penalties for the removal of disruptive partisan poll watchers would make criminals of election judges. The bills prescribed no penalties for editing and publishing video recordings made inside polling sites in intentionally misleading ways. Worst of all, a duly conducted election could be overturned by the mere allegation of voter fraud.
In the interest of a vibrant Texas democracy I hope we will continue to find ways to encourage and empower voters.
Betsy Singleton
San Marcos
Dear Editor,
In spite of overwhelming public support for Judge Linda Rodriguez to replace Judge Millie Thompson, in a vote of 3-2, the county commissioners voted to install Daniel O’Brien in the County Court at Law #3. Rodriguez, a judge for 24 years, has been handling cases for CCL #3 as a visiting judge after Millie Thompson resigned the position.
Hays County has lost a chance to strengthen our judicial system in passing over Judge Rodriguez. Since the voters chose a woman and a Democrat for County Court at Law #3 last November, it would have been reasonable and fair to choose another woman, not to mention another Democrat, to fill the vacancy. With 24 years of experience on the bench, Judge Rodriguez is the first woman elected judge in Hays County. Moreover, she would have focused on a smooth transition rather than on the distractions and demands of running for reelection.
After Rodriguez applied for the County Court of Law #3, the commissioners stalled for time to allow more applicants to apply and in doing so, ignored the countless letters and comments in favor of Judge Rodriguez.
In spite of indicating that he was a “big personal fan of Rodriguez,” Commissioner Walt Smith nominated Daniel O’Brien, a Republican and an attorney from Dripping Springs, to fill the vacancy. No reasonable explanation was given by the court for choosing O’Brien over Rodriguez other than what was unsaid, to install a Republican in a seat won by a Democrat.
Politics aside, having a woman, a strong, seasoned compassionate trailblazer work for us in the county court at law would have been a gift to our county. Everyone is a fan of Judge Linda Rodriguez. She should have been named for this vacancy.
Sincerely,
Diann McCabe
San Marcos
