One woman escorted out by deputy
GEORGETOWN - Gripes about Election Day missteps and calls for the dismissal of Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo dominated Tuesday’s often heated Commissioners Court session.
Because the items were not listed on the posted agenda, commissioners by law could not take any action, but members on the dais promised speakers their grievances over the March 3 party primaries are not being forgotten.
“I understand your concerns, but our election administrator is not on the agenda,” said County Judge Steven Snell, who became visibly irritated as some speakers raised their voices and interrupted commissioners.
The next meeting is set for March 24, with Escobedo and Republican and Democratic party chairs Michelle Evans and Kim Gilby, respectively, asked to attend.
The controversy stems from not only changing assigned precincts on Election Day over countywide voting but also making polling locations party-specific instead of open to all voters.
The decision, prompted by the GOP but agreed to by the Democrats, has set the stage for Texas Supreme Court action after a state district judge ordered polling places in Georgetown to remain open after the 7 p.m. cutoff March 3.
GOP officials have argued they were trying to protect voter integrity at the ballot box.
In Williamson County, officials have already said they will return to countywide voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election.
During the March 10 commissioners meeting, speakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties lined up to voice their concerns about the polling process on March 3, ask for nonpayment of election equipment, call for the firing of Escobedo and point fingers at each other. In addition, several residents made claims of unlawful actions at some polling locations.
Snell had to interrupt several speakers and a woman was removed by a sheriff’s deputy.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles at the end of the March 10 session said he would invite Escobedo, Evans and Gilby to attend the next Commissioners Court.
He thanked all the speakers, including election workers.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the court heard from Taylor resident Jose Orta, who has been a poll worker since 1996. He described the chaos he witnessed at a polling site at Taylor City Hall, which has been a voting location for both parties for more than 10 years.
“We had a share of irate voters, both Republican and Democrat, who were turned away (from City Hall),” Orta said.
For the primaries, Taylor City Hall was a Democratic Party voting site for five precincts made up of parts of Hutto, Coupland, Elgin, Pflugerville and south Taylor.
GOP voters were directed to other nearby locales to cast their ballots. Many at the time expressed anger at not being able to vote at the traditional City Hall polling site, and some claimed they did not receive notice about the change.
Orta encouraged the commissioners and party chairs to return to countywide voting to prevent further confusion.
Snell wrapped up Tuesday’s court session reminding residents to follow the proper decorum for making public comments and addressing commissioners, even if those observations are critical.
“I had to cut some people short today…I want everybody to be able to speak if they want to let us have it, if they want to hold us accountable, if they want to criticize. It’s part of the process,” Snell said.
Snell added he was looking forward to discussing the election process at the next meeting.
The session March 24 is at 9:30 a.m. at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
