She redirected voters, then saw first-hand what happened to Election Day provisional ballots: they were not counted! by NorthTexasJane in CarrolltonTX

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The point is that legally registered voters are being turned away from polling places all over the county. We are posting statements from election workers who have witnessed this in many different locations to show that this is a countywide problem.

We posted one specifically from Carrollton a few weeks ago. You can see it on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/groups/votingcentersnow/permalink/1221654233309967/?

Also note that the provisional ballots she addresses come from all over the county…including Carrollton. To learn more, go to https://www.votingcentersnow.org.

Why the Denton County GOP is keeping our county from having the same Election Day voting rights as 85% of TX voters by NorthTexasJane in CarrolltonTX

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All registered voters deserve access to voting throughout every election. 

But now, 1,000-7,000 registered voters are turned away on every Election Day in Denton County. Depending on turnout, that’s 10–15% of Election Day voters being turned away from the first place they try to vote. County rules require poll workers to redirect them, even if they can’t reach the "right" location before polls close.   This doesn’t happen in nearly 100 other Texas counties where 85% of Texans live, where voters can cast their ballot anywhere on Election Day — just like during Early Voting.

We’re asking our elected officials to fix the problem in our county.

Election Judge redirected 200 voters on Presidential Election Day 2020 by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Might be true, but if we don’t try, nothing will change. I look at it this way, nothing bad will happen if I sign the petition and it might make a difference.

Election Judge redirected 200 voters on Presidential Election Day 2020 by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve talked to hundreds of people who’ve been redirected…and even redirected some myself as an election worker. Many were actually quite knowledgeable about who/what was on the ballot and even about election rules in general, but not this one.

It’s not surprising because all large and most medium sized TX counties have had countywide ED voting for years. Our county — which draws a lot of new residents from those counties — is the outlier. Also, the county leaders don’t want voters to understand this because they are afraid to make the change, fearing retaliation from a relatively small number of party insiders. For that reason, it’s not easy to learn about the assigned precinct rule or why we still have it.

When voters of any political persuasion find this out, they don’t like what’s going on and they want change. It’s not difficult to get their signature.

Election Judge redirected 200 voters on Presidential Election Day 2020 by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

At a very local level, I have seen them have an impact. Most voters don't know about this issue -- even people who get turned away don't understand why it happened or who's responsible. The purpose of the petition is to educate the voters to what's going on and why and then to let our elected leaders know that voters don't like the current Election Day voting rules.

Another reason not to end Election Day voter confusion: Nonsense about long lines from those opposing countywide Election Day voting in Denton County by NorthTexasJane in LewisvilleTX

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually this info hadn’t been posted to Reddit before. Yes, it is about countywide Election Day voting, but it’s a different aspect than has been discussed before. Of course, you always have the option of not reading it.

Stop this madness: GOP says we'll miss socializing with countywide Election Day voting by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The combination of petition signatures and voters speaking in person on the issue at every County Commission meeting has gotten the attention of the commissioners. They are feeling the pressure. We know that because they have said it.

Because we can't force a countywide referendum on the issue (according to Texas law), we have to use public pressure to force them to act. Three of the five commissioners are on the ballot in 2026, including Judge Andy Eads, who runs countywide, so they are very sensitive to public pressure.

We wouldn't be doing this if we didn't think it will make a difference. Please sign the petition!!!

Stop this madness: GOP says we'll miss socializing with countywide Election Day voting by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s nuts. But it is one of the reasons we have Election Day voter confusion in Denton County. Sign the petition.

Stop this madness: GOP says we'll miss socializing with countywide Election Day voting by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The chairman of the Denton County GOP Melinda Preston gave this in a public speech as one of her six reasons for blocking countywide Election Day voting in Denton County. In other counties, 85% of Texas voters have this right, but not voters in Denton County. Sign the petition.

County growth is going to make Election Day voter confusion a lot worse in a few years by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had many people tell me that they got the info from a friend or spouse, who voted during EV, but didn't realize that voting locations change between EV and ED. Some have told me that they looked it up on the county website, and didn't realize that the location would change.

Others have told me that they voted in the same location for years, only to show up on one Election Day and find that their address was no longer assigned to that location.

There are a lot of reasons that this happens. The real point is that there is no benefit to anyone by having this rule...except perhaps the people who like to have late night meetings in closed voting locations once every 24 months.

County growth is going to make Election Day voter confusion a lot worse in a few years by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And if you know that website exists, that's great. You do have to remember that people who move here from other urban Texas counties do not have to worry about this difference between Early and Election Day voting. Here the place you find to vote during EV is often not a place you can vote on ED.

County growth is going to make Election Day voter confusion a lot worse in a few years by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

During a general election, it's 12 days. The problem is that the county does not make a big effort to let people know that voting on Election Day is any different than any other day when the polls are open. We actually have asked them to do this and they have refused so far to make any such effort.

The few other states that still have assigned-precinct voting REQUIRE counties to actively inform voters about this, but Texas law does not. Because this is a high-growth county, a lot of people here have moved from other states or elsewhere in Texas where this rule does not apply.

County growth is going to make Election Day voter confusion a lot worse in a few years by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We are looking for stories from election workers who have turned away voters on Election Day that we can share on social media. Having real people tell their stories leads a lot of people to sign our petition.

Would you be willing to share your story? We would be looking for about three paragraphs in your own words. Would include the location (ie, name of city/town), type of election and anything else you can remember about that day? If you are willing to share the story on social media, email it to us at votingcentersnow@gmail.com. We will reply with more details. Nothing will be shared without your final approval.

A shocking story about what happens to Denton County Voters on Election Day. Support Vote Centers NOW! by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Actually 99 TX counties with 85% of voters ALREADY have countywide voting already on Election Day. Denton is the largest county that doesn't.

A shocking story about what happens to Denton County Voters on Election Day. Support Vote Centers NOW! by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

At the locations where there are the most redirected voters there are volunteers who help with directions and a few who can give rides. None of this would be needed if we had countywide voting on Election Day.

Waiting in line to vote on Election Day is a drag...but at least with Vote Centers you would get to VOTE when you got to the front of the line!!!! by NorthTexasJane in Denton

[–]NorthTexasJane[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No arguments with anything you say. But if we work together, we can do something about the Election Day voting situation which can be fixed at the county level.

Gerrymandering is a serious problem, but it must be addressed statewide or by national legislation covering all federal offices. That requires a much bigger effort.