Sep 23, 2026 · 4 min · 3 segments
Although the state is charged with the responsibility for elections, the legislature has assigned most election duties to counties and their elected officials. County officials perform these functions…
[upbeat music] The following article on voting was published in the September issue of County Progress and written by Senior General Counsel Jim Allison.
Elections are the signature trademark of a democratic republic.
The framers of the US Constitution recognized the importance of guaranteeing the right to elect our representatives.
Consistent with the concerns over concentration of power, the US Constitution assigns the responsibility for elections to the states, not the federal government.
The Texas Constitution devotes an entire article to suffrage, and this commitment is reinforced in the elections code.
Although the state is charged with responsibility for elections, the Texas legislature has assigned most election duties to counties and their elected officials.
It's a compliment to our election officials that the proper performance of these duties is automatically presumed.
While the right to vote is guaranteed by our constitutions and laws, it's not universally exercised.
Many eligible citizens don't register to vote.
Percentage turnout among eligible voters declined from twenty-twenty to twenty-twenty four.
Participation in midterm elections is generally lower than presidential years, and unfortunately, Texas ranks in the bottom ten percent among the states in voter participation percentage.
There are many reasons for low voter participation, including voter burnout, lack of enthusiasm, negative campaigning, and lack of knowledge of eligibility and procedures.
Recent surveys indicate that some do not trust the validity of the system.
This is an unfortunate misconception of the commitment of the voting officials and the reliability of the safeguards in the system.
Such misconceptions are detrimental to our democratic republic and our county officials.
Mistrust of the elections bleeds into mistrust of the elected officials.
When the integrity of the system is maligned, the integrity of all county officials is slandered.
As important as free and fair elections are, it is equally important to educate the public on the accuracy and honesty of the system.
We're honored to have extremely dedicated election officials.
They are a dedicated and skilled group of public servants.
Their devotion to their duty is unsurpassed.
In recent years, election officials have been subjected to personal and social media abuse and even physical threats.
This is shameful and cannot be tolerated.
As we approach the end of the registration period and begin early voting, it's an excellent time to emphasize the value and worth of our election officials.
Recognize them at commissioner's court.
[upbeat music] The following article on voting was published in the September issue of County Progress and written by Senior General Counsel Jim Allison.
Elections are the signature trademark of a democratic republic.
The framers of the US Constitution recognized the importance of guaranteeing the right to elect our representatives.
Consistent with the concerns over concentration of power, the US Constitution assigns the responsibility for elections to the states, not the federal government.
The Texas Constitution devotes an entire article to suffrage, and this commitment is reinforced in the elections code.
Although the state is charged with responsibility for elections, the Texas legislature has assigned most election duties to counties and their elected officials.
It's a compliment to our election officials that the proper performance of these duties is automatically presumed.
While the right to vote is guaranteed by our constitutions and laws, it's not universally exercised.
Many eligible citizens don't register to vote.
Percentage turnout among eligible voters declined from twenty-twenty to twenty-twenty four.
Participation in midterm elections is generally lower than presidential years, and unfortunately, Texas ranks in the bottom ten percent among the states in voter participation percentage.
There are many reasons for low voter participation, including voter burnout, lack of enthusiasm, negative campaigning, and lack of knowledge of eligibility and procedures.
Recent surveys indicate that some do not trust the validity of the system.
This is an unfortunate misconception of the commitment of the voting officials and the reliability of the safeguards in the system.
Such misconceptions are detrimental to our democratic republic and our county officials.
Mistrust of the elections bleeds into mistrust of the elected officials.
When the integrity of the system is maligned, the integrity of all county officials is slandered.
As important as free and fair elections are, it is equally important to educate the public on the accuracy and honesty of the system.
We're honored to have extremely dedicated election officials.
They are a dedicated and skilled group of public servants.
Their devotion to their duty is unsurpassed.
In recent years, election officials have been subjected to personal and social media abuse and even physical threats.
This is shameful and cannot be tolerated.
As we approach the end of the registration period and begin early voting, it's an excellent time to emphasize the value and worth of our election officials.
Recognize them at commissioner's court.
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