Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
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aSSeSSment:<br />
are VoterS ProteCted?<br />
hoW IS <strong>the</strong> Challenge reSolVed?<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> muSt a Challenger do<br />
to FIle a Challenge?<br />
Who Can Challenge<br />
BeFore eleCtIon day?<br />
St<strong>at</strong>e<br />
mIxed<br />
Texas could improve its laws by requiring<br />
challenges based on grounds<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r than residency to be made<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r in advance of Election Day.<br />
Also, Texas should make it clear th<strong>at</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> challenger, not <strong>the</strong> voter, bears<br />
<strong>the</strong> burden of proof.<br />
Texas law is good in requiring<br />
challengers to file sworn st<strong>at</strong>ements<br />
based on personal knowledge.<br />
For challenges based on residence, <strong>the</strong> challenged<br />
voter will receive a notice from <strong>the</strong><br />
registrar. Failure to respond to this will result<br />
in <strong>the</strong> voter being included on <strong>the</strong> “suspense<br />
list.” This may ultim<strong>at</strong>ely result in a voter’s<br />
removal from <strong>the</strong> voter registr<strong>at</strong>ion rolls for<br />
failing to vote in subsequent elections.<br />
If <strong>the</strong> challenge is based on any ground o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
than residence, <strong>the</strong> registrar must hold a hearing<br />
on <strong>the</strong> challenge.<br />
TEX. ELEC. CODE ANN. § 16.093.<br />
The challenger must file a sworn<br />
written st<strong>at</strong>ement, st<strong>at</strong>ing <strong>the</strong> specific<br />
qualific<strong>at</strong>ions not met by <strong>the</strong> challenged<br />
voter. Must be based on “personal<br />
knowledge” of <strong>the</strong> challenger.<br />
TEX. ELEC. CODE ANN. § 16.092<br />
If challenge is based on residence, it<br />
must be filed <strong>at</strong> least 75 days before<br />
<strong>the</strong> election (with exceptions for<br />
voter applic<strong>at</strong>ions after this d<strong>at</strong>e).<br />
TEX. ELEC. CODE ANN.<br />
§ 16.0921.<br />
For o<strong>the</strong>r grounds, Texas law<br />
provides no set timetable for filing a<br />
challenge.<br />
texaS Any registered voter may<br />
challenge <strong>the</strong> registr<strong>at</strong>ion of<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r voter of <strong>the</strong> same<br />
county.<br />
TEX. ELEC. CODE ANN.<br />
§ 16.091<br />
unS<strong>at</strong>ISFaCtory<br />
Virginia’s laws do not adequ<strong>at</strong>ely<br />
protect voters’ rights. A voter’s registr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
should not be autom<strong>at</strong>ically<br />
cancelled if she misses a hearing. Virginia<br />
should provide more guidance<br />
for how challenges are adjudic<strong>at</strong>ed,<br />
and require <strong>the</strong> challenger to bear <strong>the</strong><br />
burden of proof.<br />
Not prescribed within <strong>the</strong> st<strong>at</strong>ute. The registrar must post <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> courthouse<br />
or publish in a county or city newspaper<br />
<strong>the</strong> names of registered voters th<strong>at</strong> are to be<br />
cancelled.<br />
Registrar will mail a notice to <strong>the</strong> challenged<br />
voter, indic<strong>at</strong>ing <strong>the</strong> reasons for cancell<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />
<strong>the</strong> factual basis, and details for <strong>the</strong> hearing.<br />
At least ten days notice of <strong>the</strong> hearing must be<br />
provided. No hearings in <strong>the</strong> 60-day period<br />
prior to <strong>the</strong> general election, or in <strong>the</strong> 30-day<br />
period before o<strong>the</strong>r elections. Failure to <strong>at</strong>tend<br />
<strong>the</strong> hearing will result in autom<strong>at</strong>ic cancell<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of <strong>the</strong> voter’s registr<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-429<br />
VIrgInIa The general registrar, or any<br />
three voters of <strong>the</strong> county<br />
or city can challenge a<br />
voter’s eligibility.<br />
VA. CODE ANN.<br />
§ 24.2-429.<br />
37 • aPPendIx 1 | St<strong>at</strong>e Laws Governing Pre-Election Day Challenges