Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Deputy County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of County Administration for discussion and possible action on efforts to increase voter registration in Harris County.
end
Background and Discussion:
On August 6, 2024, Commissioners Court directed the Office of County Administration (OCA) to work with the Tax-Assessor Collector (TAC), the County Attorney’s Office (CAO), and other relevant offices to implement the text-to-register program, develop an unregistered voters’ map, initiate the voter registration pilot, and come back to court on August 27, 2024 with updates.
Progress on these initiatives is as follows:
1) The Tax Assessor Collector’s office has taken initial steps to implement the text-to-register program; a budget of $100,000 is required to proceed.
2) The Tax Assessor Collector’s office has developed a map of non-commercial addresses at which no voters are registered for internal use only.
3) The Tax Assessor Collector’s office has indicated that a mailing effort to non-commercial addresses where no voters are currently registered is possible before the October 7, 2024 registration deadline; a budget of $200,000 is required to proceed.
Expected Impact:
A potential increase in the number of registered eligible voters in Harris County.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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4/23/24 |
390 |
Commissioner Precinct One directed OCA, in coordination with relevant County agencies and departments, to create a list of recommended options to increase voter registration and participation in Harris County elections and to submit options for Commissioners Court consideration by June 4, 2024. |
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8/6/24 |
21 |
To direct the Office of County Administration to work with the Tax-Assessor Collector, County Attorney’s Office, and any other relevant office to implement the text to register program, develop an unregistered voters’ map, and initiate the voter registration pilot and come back to the Court on 8/27 with updates. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: August 27, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Pernilla Johansson, Director, Research and Analysis Department, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable):