Voter Intimidation Reports In Texas Already. Here Are Your Rights.

With early voting officially underway in Texas, it's important to know what your rights are as a voter, and what people can and cannot do. As of this writing, we are only literal hours into the polls being open, and we've already got reports of illegal activity.

I'm here to help you understand what rights you have, and if you see something or hear something that is threatening those rights, you are advised to either tell an election official or even call the police immediately.

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It's important to know these people aren't just menacing, they are breaking the law and that is punishable by fines and jail time.

WHAT HAPPENED ALREADY

Before I dig into this, it's important to note these are just firsthand accounts from people on social media that I see. It could've happened, it may not have, however, it's important to note because these kinds of thing DO happen.

In Titus County, a Reddit user noted that a citizen was offering to drive people to and from the polling stations if they couldn't do it themselves so they could cast their vote. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. In fact, it's refreshing to hear people willing to do this.

One little issue though. The person who was doing the driving would tell people once they arrived, "If you vote for Allred, you are walking back". Ladies and gentlemen, that is what we call voter intimidation and it's HIGHLY illegal.

There were also reports of the same person standing at the voting machine trying to get a look at their ballot to make sure they didn't cast a vote for Allred. If this is all true, this "good Samaritan" should be taking a ride of his own to jail.

Voter interference Titus County Texas 10 21 2024
byu/RedKGB intexas

YOUR RIGHTS AS A VOTER

In what is going to be a hotly contested election, both on the Presidential side and state side, we will encounter a lot of influence outside the polling stations and in other places. It's important for you to know what your rights are, and not what others tell you they are.

Sadly, there will be people trying to tell you that you can't do certain things, or you can't vote because of whatever reason they cook up. Some will try to stop you before going in and attempt to have a conversation to sway you or deter you from voting. Simply put, they aren't allowed to do that.

NAME NOT ON VOTER REGISTRATION LIST

If your name isn't appearing on the registration list, don't let anyone tell you "sorry, your name isn't here, you can't vote." That is wildly incorrect and you still have every right to vote as long as you're legally allowed.

What you need to do is ask for a provisional ballot that you can still cast. Your name and voter registration will be checked before being counted, and if the reason your name wasn't on the list was an administrative issue, your ballot will be counted.

RIGHT TO CAST BALLOT IN SECRET & WITHOUT INTIMIDATION

This one falls right in line with what we mentioned allegedly happened above. Your ballot is secret, and no one should be hovering over you while you cast your vote. If you feel someone is there looking over your shoulder, do not vote for anything, call an election official over to you and ask to have the person removed.

If someone threatens you in any way by saying something like "If you vote for Allred, you are walking back", immediately report it and do not feel like you need to change your vote. That's what these people want you to do, and it's illegal.

ENTITLED TO WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CAST A BALLOT

If you are unsure of what you are doing in the voting booth, or maybe this is your first time voting, all you have to do is ask an election worker for a copy of the written instructions on how to cast your ballot.

They cannot deny you these instructions. They are there to make sure your votes are counted and done properly. If they aren't willing to provide you with that info, do not cast your vote until you've got those in your hands.

THE RIGHT FOR ADDITIONAL BALLOTS

No, this is not so you can vote for the same people multiple times. If you feel you made an error on your ballot, aren't 100% sure you voted for the right candidate or issue, you have the ability to request up to TWO additional ballots to make corrections.

If you do this, the previous ballot you filled out will be spoiled and not counted towards any tally. The only one that counts is the one you do correctly, so don't go in thinking you can vote for something three times.

CASTING YOUR VOTE DURING WORK HOURS

You are allowed to cast your vote during work hours without losing pay or being penalized. You will be allotted a certain amount of time to go and vote while still on the clock at work and receive your full pay.

There can be exceptions to this rule however. If you have two or more hours before or after work when the polling stations are still open, your employer does have the right to not grant you this.

So, if polling places are open from 7a-7p, and you work 8a-5p, that means you have two hours after work to be able to get to a polling place. Your employer could decide to tell you it has to wait until after you've completed your shift.

POLLING PLACE HOURS AND YOUR VOTE

This one has a tendency to cause a little confusion, so let's clear it up. Many people believe they have to have their ballot cast BEFORE the polling place closes at 7 pm or they won't be able to vote. This is incorrect.

As long as you are IN LINE before they close at 7 pm, you have the right to go inside and cast your vote, even if that vote happens at 8:30 pm. Someone from the polling place will be outside cutting off the line at 7 pm, so just make sure you get there before the clock strikes 7 pm and you'll be able to vote.