Yesterday, Christine Welborn, President of Advancing Integrity, addressed the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee, urging robust changes to fortify election integrity across the state.
Some of the committee’s agenda was focused on Advancing Integrity items including big tech manipulation of elections, data privacy, countywide polling, and illegal electioneering.
Whistleblowers and other individuals testified that content moderation practices by major tech companies, such as Google and Facebook, pose a significant threat to election integrity. Each entity has faced credible accusations of viewpoint censorship, particularly against conservative voices.
The numerous threats from foreign entities breaching information systems in past election cycles, noted during the committee hearing and widely reported, underscore the need for stringent data protection protocols. While these activities have not altered any election outcomes, they underscore the need for stronger data protection protocols.
In her testimony, Welborn highlighted the threats to our elections from countywide polling and the illegal electioneering by school districts and other government entities.
Advancing Integrity’s stated position on countywide polling is that it is riddled with unintended consequences. She advocated for a return to precinct-based polling to enhance the security and accuracy of election results.
“Every election, my organization receives calls about voters receiving the wrong ballot style. The chances of this happening are greatly reduced with precinct-based polling. It also means that a precinct’s ballots are kept together, adding to the security and accuracy of precinct returns, chain of custody, and storage.”
She continued by saying, “This is crucial for recounts. Even when recounting a small district covering only a few precincts, all of the ballot boxes for the entire county must be opened and sorted. Dallas and Tarrant counties recently learned that the hard way.”
Welborn expressed concern over the overt use of public resources and time to advocate for specific candidates during the 2024 primary election cycle. She noted that many activities, particularly in school districts, violated the spirit of electioneering laws while adhering to their letter.
“That is why we are advocating to go one step further and ask that Texas move away from using public education facilities as polling places. For years ISDs have used these location placements to their advantage and engaged in questionable practices,” added Welborn.
Lawmakers need to amend current laws to eliminate ambiguities and close loopholes, increase penalties to deter illegal electioneering and empower the Texas Attorney General to prosecute violations.
Christine Welborn concluded her testimony by emphasizing the paramount importance of election integrity in maintaining public trust in the democratic process. By addressing threats from Big Tech and foreign entities, improving the countywide polling place program, and strengthening laws against illegal electioneering, Texas can safeguard its elections.