Harris County voting measures worked; why ditch them?

Regarding “Republicans claim Texas' voting bill just rolls back pandemicera changes. Nice try.” ( July 20): Voting, one of the most honored rights we have under our Constitution — I’m not sure just why it is under attack at this point. Each and every legal citizen has the right to register to vote but has to furnish proof they are legal.

Much is being said about how hard it is to vote. No it is not.

There is a two-week early voting time period, those with a disability or over 65 have to request a ballot by mail and a general election date is set. No mass mailings as that is wide open to misuse and fraud. Sunday morning is when most all people are or should be in church. What is wrong with the two weeks of daylight voting? Night is when you should be in bed.

Now two serious issues. First, on identification, set up an office with a website, phone number and email. A person notifies this office they need a photo ID. That person will be visited or asked to meet at a certain location, then with all legal documentation will receive a photo ID.

Second, on transportation, contact that office and arrangements will be made to pick up the person, take them to the polling place, furnish a wheelchair if needed, take them in to vote, and return them to home at no cost to the individual. Problem solved.

James E. Muecke, Houston

Regarding “HB 3 makes voting fair, uniform,” ( July 16): Rep. Andrew Murr deserves credit for the calm and respectful tone of his description of his now notorious House Bill 3 on voting restrictions.

However, whether intentional or not, his presentation is deceptive. Murr states, “I intended for all my House colleagues to come together and consider all facets of our election process,” but omits that opposition to the measure solidified when restrictive requirements were added behind closed doors in the middle of the night during regular session, blocking Democrats from debate and action prior to a rushed vote by Murr’s party members.

The bill’s stated intent “to reduce the likelihood of fraud” obscures the reality that HB 3 would create a roster of new criminal penalties and requirements for folks who assist voters at polls, or people who assist others planning to vote by mail and would require people to fill out paperwork if they were taking someone, not a relative, to vote in person.

Perhaps the most dangerous and undemocratic feature of the bill is that it expands what partisan poll watchers can observe as voters vote.

This feature would make it more difficult to control disruptive partisan poll watchers when they are acting aggressively or disrupting voting. Once one sees HB 3’s many new procedures, restrictions and legal penalties imposed for simple efforts to assist legally registered voters, it becomes evident to many that this bill, if enacted, will suppress our invaluable right to vote.

Mary E. Schultz, Houston

There are times when crisis moves us toward better choices. This was the case for voting during a pandemic.

In an effort to make the voting process less dangerous at the height of COVID spread, Harris County used innovative methods to fulfill the right of the people to vote. And vote safely.

They were successful! Spread of the virus was curtailed. And, as a bonus, more people than ever exercised this most basic of democratic principles. Without systematic corruption. Win/win!

Look at Colorado. Every registered voter gets a mail-in ballot, drop boxes are available 24/7 for a period of time prior to

Election Day and voter registration can take place right up until the day of. Turnout is encouraged!

What is the difference in these two states? Elected officials in Colorado don’t seem to fear their voters. If you appeal to enough people, you win.

In Texas, fear that you cannot appeal to a majority prompts you to pass laws to curtail voting in hopes only your tribe gets to cast a ballot. Texans are supposed to be bold and unafraid. As a Texan, I vote for broad inclusion!

Carol Godell, Spring

Uniform voting for all of Texas would be fine if the state was uniform. Rep. Murr’s district includes 12 counties with a total of 162,897 people. Voting in one area may not take into account the problems of a county with almost 5 million people and the complexities and congestion of a fast-paced major city.

Robert Lange, Houston

About 66 percent of registered Texans voted in 2020. It is estimated that more than 2 million eligible people are not registered in Texas. Our democracy fails when every voice is not heard.

I’m a naturalized citizen. We moved from an apartheid country where generations of my family were not allowed to vote because of the color of our skin.

We should allow every eligible U.S. citizen to get automatically registered. And then create laws for 100 percent voter turnout, instead of creating laws for the 19 cases of fraud that were found. Please don’t dilute this message with distractions. Yes we need proper ID to vote, and yes you must be a legal citizen to vote. Texas, call your legislators to stop voter suppression. Our democracy depends on it.

Chanda Parbhoo, Dallas