The Bexar County Elections Division has processed a brand new backlog of hundreds of voter registration functions in time for its February deadline, officers stated Tuesday.
When the Present reported on the backlog final week, it stood at virtually 7,000 because the Feb. 17 begin of early voting for the March 3 main shortly approached.
Final Tuesday, Elections Administrator Michele Carew stated the county was hiring not less than a dozen extra momentary staff to assist in processing the mound of information. Now, officers report the backlog has been cleared.
“With extra workers introduced on, placing in lengthy and exhausting hours of labor, we had been capable of eradicate the latest backlog nicely in time for the beginning of early voting,” Carew stated in an emailed assertion.
Final fall, the county had simply weeks to course of a voter registration backlog of roughly 75,000, elections officers reported the time. Employees cleared that backlog simply days earlier than the November election.
County elections officers attribute the recurring backlogs to the State of Texas’ TEAM voter-registration system, which has slowed enter occasions and created different hurdles for Bexar workers as they course of voter registrations.
Those that haven’t registered to vote nonetheless have time to take action earlier than the Feb. 2 deadline to take part within the upcoming main.
“If any resident has a query, I ask that they name my workplace straight away,” Carew stated. “I need to reassure our group that we’re going by means of our closing checklists, and I’m assured that we’re going to have a easily run election.”
County Choose Peter Sakai, who has overseen the method, echoed Carew’s sentiments a press release.
“I’ve been working intently with Michele and her workers in offering any assets wanted to handle the backlog,” Sakai stated. “I’m dedicated to a protected, environment friendly and dependable voting course of that features making certain voters obtain correct and well timed data.”
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An nameless staffer additionally reported aggravating circumstances contained in the division, together with 12-hour shifts and seven-day work weeks.
