Bryan Residents Reassured About Election Integrity and Voter Participation

Bryan Residents Reassured About Upcoming Elections

In Bryan, excitement is brewing as the upcoming elections approach, but there’s also a sense of curiosity and concern among voters. Recently, the Brazos County Elections Administrator, Trudy Hancock, addressed these worries at a meeting hosted by the B/CS Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee. She brought a warm and informative presence as she discussed what voters can expect in the upcoming electoral process.

Safety and Security at the Polls

One of the major points Hancock highlighted was the integrity of the election process. In an environment where claims of election fraud have been prevalent, Hancock emphasized that voting in Brazos County is both safe and secure. She stated, “It’s fundamental that the candidates and voters understand who a winner is and who a loser is. We must have trust in the vote and in our registration process.”

Growth in Voter Registration

Hancock shared some impressive numbers about voter registration in the county. Since the establishment of her office in 2016, the number of registered voters in Brazos County has dramatically increased. “Currently, we have 132,148 registered voters. When I started here in 2016, we had just over 89,000 voters,” Hancock reported proudly.

Addressing Voter Roll Concerns

Following a news story that claimed a million voters had been purged from Texas rolls, Hancock received an influx of calls. She clarified that the article failed to contextualize the state’s routine maintenance. “That is something we do daily. Every county in Texas conducts daily maintenance to manage new registrations and cancellations,” she explained. “Since the beginning of the year, we have made over 7,884 changes to our voter rolls,” she added, detailing the importance of managing accurate and up-to-date voter information.

In-House Processes for Maximum Security

When it comes to ballots, Hancock assures voters that the entire process is managed in-house. “We handle everything from printing ballots to programming scanners. We believe it’s more secure this way because all of our equipment is under our control,” she said.

Voting Locations and Balancing Ballots

Voters in the county will have the opportunity to cast their votes at various locations. Hancock explained how ballots can be unique based on precincts. “You could live across the street from someone and may not have all the same races on your ballot,” she noted. Each voter’s experience is personalized to ensure accurate representation of their specific precinct.

Trust, But Verify

As part of maintaining high standards, the county conducts three tests on the voting equipment: one public test before absentee ballots are sent out, another before Election Day, and finally, a test after polls close. Hancock assures that “the results of all three tests must match,” which provides voters with further confidence in the system.

Paperwork and Ballot Verification

Hancock elaborated on the crucial role of election judges on Election Day, stating, “They have extensive paperwork to track the chain of custody, detailing how many ballots were issued and counted.” Additionally, an early voting ballot board carefully examines ballots not cast on machines and compares signatures to ensure authenticity.

Post-Election Review

After each election, state regulations require that local authorities perform hand counts of ballots from a selection of precincts. Remarkably, Hancock revealed that her office voluntarily pulls from six precincts instead of the required three, ensuring even more accuracy.

Encouragement for Voter Engagement

Hancock’s office encourages all voters to verify their printed ballots before submitting them into the machines. “If something looks incorrect, please notify the election judge immediately,” she urged. For those looking for more information on local elections, the office recommends visiting their website, brazosvotes.org.

As the elections draw nearer, Hancock’s reassuring words serve to empower Bryan residents, providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to participate in the democratic process.