COUNTER VOTER SUPPRESSION TASK FORCE

(cvs)

Meeting Minutes July 14,'08

Thanks To All for Excellent Participation. Mark Your Calendars, Next Meeting Monday August 4, 6:30 PM

Stan Merriman (escramble('merriman','sbcglobal.net');">stan.escramble('merriman','sbcglobal.net');) called meeting to order

Brief 30+ in attendance on rationale for creating this counter suppression campaign on behalf of the HCDP; a systemic Republican party effort to restrict voters and their vote over decades, resulting in Harris Co. and Texas as #47 among states for turnout of eligible registered and non-registered voters.

Merriman briefed the body on suggested task descriptions for the following initiatives the Task Force had previously agreed warranted attention, and Task Managers, below volunteered to lead and attendees volunteered to staff.

'08 Initiatives:

Task Managers and plan for each in collaboration with HCDP

Franking Congressional Mailings-eligible/non-reg.vtrs, suspense list

Determine if franking allows 1st class, thus returns of suspense voters. Draft letter for Congressperson; determine contents/packaging of mailing allowed, create follow up system for responses to mailings, such as processing vtr.reg. Recommend varieties of lists to use, including new movers.

Kathy Tarte- escramble('tarte','comcast.net');">cathy.escramble('tarte','comcast.net');

Voter Suspense/Caging File-challenge strategies

Document screening/mailing tactics used by Tax Assessor. Present objections to Commissioners Court; collaborate on legal action w/Veselka, create text on critique of Counties malfeasance in eliminating rather than increasing registered voters, addressing l million eligible but unregistered vtrs. In Harris. Urge publishing of Suspense file to help people know they are on it. Develop program for Party to urge voters to verify their registration.

John Behrman- escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');">escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');

Voting Machine Distribution-project needs

Secure from Party/county election code formula for machines per poll volume;

Secure from county actual distribution for primary; project needs based on that volume per EV/Poll locations, write challenge letters/news releases for county party on maldistribution.

Tom Gederberg- escramble('Tgederberg','sbcglobal.net');">escramble('Tgederberg','sbcglobal.net');

Poll locations-push publicity and text mssg. Communications

Prepare communications plan for party on publicizing EV/poll locations, including text messages. Push County Clerk/Commissioners Court on ramping up advertising and communications vehicles. Work w/party to create an information center on voting locations.

Sylvia Gederberg- escramble('patrice','sbcglobal.net');">silvia.escramble('patrice','sbcglobal.net');

Voting Complaint Reports-asst HCDP coordinator, hot lines

Locate for County Party a project coordinator and create a hot line system to triage complaints and secure real time solutions.

Open- Karen Wheaton will try to recruit

County Repair analysis-DRE’s-push county commissioners on batteries

Quick review of primary repair complaint volume from County and Party reports, comparing to '06 study; Communicate with Commissioners Court on battery replacement and push County Clerk to rectify via media releases and letters written for Party Chair.

Tom Rowan- escramble('TomRowanJr','yahoo.com');">escramble('TomRowanJr','yahoo.com');

Central Counting Station-staffing

Recruit and train tech-savvy volunteers for oversight

John Behrman- escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');">escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');

VVPAT-staff/oversee testings regimes

Recruit tech-savvy volunteers to oversee Logic and Accuracy Testing; interface with media to report problems; push County Clerk in running parallel testing and provide volunteers for Party to oversee. Report to media deficiencies.

Perry Dorrell- escramble('pdiddie','yahoo.com');">escramble('pdiddie','yahoo.com');

EarlyVoting Ballot Board-staffing with expertise

Assist Party in recruiting voting rights activists to serve; train and prepare them for what to look for and how to report/address problems.

John Behrman- escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');">escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');

County Elections Board Monitoring-staffing

Publicize with media members/duties of election board. Push members to aggressively advocate for the interests of voters.

John Behrman- escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');">escramble('jrbehrman','alumni.rice.edu');

Provisional Ballots-strategy development/judge/early voting training

Research remedies in empowering the votes of provisional ballots; create a communications plan to encourage D's to take steps to not be required to cast such a ballot, but only as a last resort; ie: urge publishing lists of suspended voters.

John Behrman- escramble('jrhehrman','alumni.rice.edu');">escramble('jrhehrman','alumni.rice.edu');

Media heat

Write and distribute releases, stage news conferences as necessary, write Op-Eds.

Stan Merriman- escramble('merriman','sbcglobal.net');">stan.escramble('merriman','sbcglobal.net');

Collaborate with DNC, BlackDems, Tejanos, State Party, Obama campaign, State/local campaigns

Communicate our initiatives to these groups and determine their activities, collaborate.

Bobby Caldwellescramble('Caldwell-bhcaldwell','comcast.net');">- escramble('bhcaldwell','comcast.net');, Chandler Davidson

Two Other initiatives were created:

Mail Ballot Legal Clarification

Janna Macy- escramble('jannahans','earthlink.net');">escramble('jannahans','earthlink.net');

Deputy Registrar Rules Clarification

Karen and Bruce Menke- escramble('kbmenke','earthlink.net');">escramble('kbmenke','earthlink.net');