In the wake of reports on Monday that someone was posing as an election worker and trying to mislead Travis County voters into marking their ballots incorrectly, County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir has put out another press release on dealing with such scummy tactics:

TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK – ELECTIONS DIVISION
DANA DeBEAUVOIR, COUNTY CLERK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2008

DeBeauvoir: Don’t Be Fooled by Misleading Tactics
County Clerk Offers Tool Kit of Tips as Voter Turnout Continues at Record Pace

AUSTIN-Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir today issued a new alert about ongoing efforts seemingly designed to mislead voters, citing reports of emails, direct contact with voters at a polling place, and robo-calls urging voters who cast a Straight Party vote to vote again
for a chosen candidate.

“Don’t be fooled,” DeBeauvoir said. “If you have questions,
ask election officials to provide assistance or a demonstration.”

All poll workers wear nametags that identify them as officers of the election, DeBeauvoir said.

DeBeauvoir said the Elections Division posted an online Voter’s Tool Kit that can help prepare voters before heading to the polls. In addition to sample ballots and polling locations, the tool kit includes tips on Straight Party voting and write-in candidates as well as a quick
review of voting on the eSlate.

“To be clear, voters who choose a Straight Party option should not then enter the name of a candidate in the same party unless they want to change or de-select that candidate,” DeBeauvoir said.

The County Clerk urged voters to proceed carefully when casting their ballots and, most importantly, to ask questions before pressing the Cast Ballot button. Voters who are not fully satisfied with information received at the polling place should ask for a second opinion.

DeBeauvoir, who has served as an election observer in countries with emerging democracies, said, “It’s deeply troubling to hear reports that suggest people are deliberately trying to disenfranchise voters here at home.”

“Strong democracies are built when voters have the tools they need to cast an informed ballot,” DeBeauvoir said. “We hope voters will take a few extra moments to review the online information or ask questions at the polling place.”

The Voter’s Tool Kit and other election information is available on the Travis County Clerk’s web site: www.traviscountyelections.org. Voters with questions also may contact the Elections Division at 854-4996.

This article appears in October 17 • 2008.

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