INSIDE INFORMATION
CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know candidates running in November’s midterm elections
2022 VOTER GUIDE
Understanding mail-in ballot rejections
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
COMPILED BY RACHEL CARLTON
Republican D Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Democrat R
Incumbent
Errors cited in rejected mail-in ballots include failure to provide ID numbers on applications and numbers not matching on ballots. Those without an acceptable ID can vote if none of the required ID numbers are found in registration records. Notice is provided if applications or ballots are rejected.
STEP 1: SAMPLE MAIL IN BALLOT APPLICATION
STEP 2: SAMPLE MAIL IN BALLOT
Harris County judge
Why are you running for the role of county judge?
What is the biggest issue facing Harris County?
Our priority on Commissioners Court will be public safety, and as long as we are in agree- ment that that is the top priority, we will be able to nd ways to work together. My obligation as judge will be to our residents above partisan politics. [Previously], Harris County worked in a bipartisan fashion and didn’t get bogged down in left vs. right. That’s what I believe we need to be moving toward. How will you work with your colleagues to get things done? Opposing perspectives can push us to nd more equitable solutions, and I am dedi- cated to keeping Harris County moving for- ward. Since taking o ce, I led a bipartisan Commissioners Court to invest in reducing the criminal court backlog and cut home- lessness by 20%. My priority is providing access to brighter opportunities. While my colleagues and I sometimes disagree, we share the goal of providing the best services and outcomes for all residents.
Texas Driver’s License, Texas Personal Identi cation Number or Election Identi cation Certi cate Number issued by the Department of Public Safety (NOT your voter registration Voter Unique Identi er Number) You must provide one of the following numbers:
Since the passage of state Senate Bill 1 during the 87th legislative session in 2021, mail-in ballot rejections have risen statewide. COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER
ALEXANDRA DEL MORAL MEALER
FOLD LINE
Occupation: energy investment banker Relevant experience: West Point grad; Cap- tain, U.S. Army bomb squad; Harvard JD/
I watched as petty crime in my neighbor- hood turned into violent crime and our local o cials refused to even acknowledge the problem, let alone try to nd solutions to immediately address the issue. When I launched my campaign in November of 2021, public safety was my top priority. ... My family and I love living in Harris County, and the rst and foremost responsibility of government is to protect the most vulnerable. Before I was elected, county government ew under the radar, dodged tough decisions and operated reactively, not proactively. I’ve steered Harris County through a winter storm, chemical res, oods, hurricanes and COVID[-19]. I did it while making bold changes to how our government operates— from record law enforcement funding to early childhood education [and] smarter ood control. I’m running to protect our progress and keep Harris County moving forward.
The biggest issue facing Harris County is the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. ... To tackle this unprecedented rise in crime there is a funding element and a legal element. [The county] stripped the constables and the district attorney of their saving accounts during an unprece- dented crime epidemic, … and denied the overwhelming majority of their budget requests. [The county] signed the ODonnell Consent Decree that created a cashless bail system for misdemeanors. 1. Keeping Harris County safe: from natural disasters, from crime, and from any other threat to our health and well-being. 2. Building an early childhood education system that gives every child in our county a fair start in life. 3. Continuing to strengthen our ood resil- ience and our disaster preparedness.
Signature
SENATE BILL 1
If you do not have a Texas Driver’s License, a Texas Personal Identi cation Number or a Texas Election Identi cation Certi cate Number, give the last four digits of your Social Security number.
R
You must provide one of the following:
Required information:
Banned in-person drive-thru voting, 24-hour voting Added new ID requirements for voting by mail Made proactively distributing mail ballot applications a state felony Increased autonomy for poll watchers by allowing them “free movement,” requiring training Limited help voter assistants can provide to in- person voters
MBA; wife and mother of two young children www.alexandramealer.com
Driver's license, personal ID or election ID
Last four digits of Social Security number
I have not been
issued a driver's license or ID
I have not been issued a Texas Driver’s License/ Texas Personal Identi cation Number/Texas Election Identi cation Certi cate or Social Security Number. APPLICATION REQUIREMENT: ID NUMBERS A new law requires those who vote by mail to include one of the following ID numbers on their applications:
Phone: OPTIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION: Email:
Occupation: Harris County judge LINA HIDALGO Relevant experience: Medical interpreter, Texas Civil Rights Proj- ect, advocacy through-
Provide optional contact information to expedite the correction process. Visit www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/track-my- ballot.html to track ballot status and correct errors. BALLOT REQUIREMENT: MATCHING ID NUMBERS The same number submitted on applications must also be on their ballots. Election o cials o er the following tips:
RISING REJECTION RATES
2016* 2018* 2020* March 1, 2022 May 7, 2022 May 25, 2022
1.8% 1.8%
0.8%
Texas driver’s license number Texas state ID number Last four digits of their Social Security number Election ID certi cate number
D
12.4%
out Southeast Asia, Harris County judge 281-624-6225 | www.linahidalgo.com
5% 3.9%
*INCLUDES ALL ELECTIONS HELD THAT YEAR
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, MONTGOMERY COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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