Hays County says task force will protect election integrity

Hays County has created an Elections Integrity Task Force, which county officials say will help “streamline the process for investigating allegations” if any surface during the 2024 presidential election.

The county said its elections office, district attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies will work together “in a proactive approach to a highstakes election.”

“Democracy thrives on transparency and accountability, especially during elections,” County Judge Ruben Becerra, a Democrat, said in a news release Monday. “This initiative underscores our deep commitment to ensuring every vote is counted accurately, safeguarding the election’s integrity for all.”

The task force was created “to address any complaints in the upcoming election,” the county said, though such complaints are rare.

“We don’t have many complaints,” Elections Administrator Jennifer Doinoff said. “However, when they do come through, our main objective is to streamline the process so everybody has eyes on it and can collaboratively work together to address it in an efficient manner and to maximize county resources.”

Complaints can be sent to electionintegrity@co.hays.tx.us. Doinoff said that will prevent emails to other addresses getting buried, or callers trying to reach her office and being unable to get through because of a “high volume of calls.”

The task force will review complaints and determine whether they are criminal matters.

The group will have an appointee from all local law enforcement agencies, Doinoff said. “The overall objective is to have specific people working these crimes who can be educated and knowledgeable about election code,” she said.