Category: Howe News Bulletin

At the birth of our Republic we fought a war to gain sovereignty over the right to vote and determine our destiny as citizens. Yet, as we celebrated the 244th Fourth of July this past week, we find ourselves on the threshold of surrendering our rights anew, throwing away our right of self-determination by accepting unsecure elections.

A pandemic, riots, and political rancor have given rise to factions and rules that undoubtedly have diminished our individual liberties in myriad ways—from dining out to funerals and religious worship. But also under attack is that same civic right of electing our leaders. The calls to accept mail-in ballots are growing louder, despite the many documented risks.

There is civil unrest in most major cities of the nation where history is being destroyed in literal fashion, local governments cowed, and agitators seeking to abolish law enforcement. Chaos here cannot be abetted by adding that of a contested November election to the volatile mix and surrendering to the “little tyrants” our founders so often warned that populate big government. Simply put, we patriots should be aware that the peril we faced in 1776 isn’t so very different from now when an election can be stolen and our Republic imperiled.

Now, as then, we face a grave threat to the integrity of that civic participation’s survival. Established factions have grown powerful and controlling. Among them, we count political parties, and special interests that threaten the choices for citizens and their natural right to control their destiny and choose their governors.

Sadly, many people have become too frightened to leave their homes to exercise this right. They have become myopically convinced that filling out an absentee ballot is the only safe manner to cast their vote. But there are dangers inherent in an all-mail-in ballot process.

There is a body of documented evidence that shows that mail-in ballots are rife with opportunity for large scale vote theft. Even under non-pandemic conditions and in times that aren’t as panic-stricken, mail-in ballots have been utilized by well-funded vote harvesters. With an all-mail-in ballot system, the opportunity for vote harvesting is exponentially increased. While some states already do conduct vote by mail operations, these operations were not built in a day—they’ve had years. Done wrong, we ignore the lessons of the past.

Have we forgotten then the cause for celebration of the Fourth of July? On that day in 1776, a document was signed, declaring freedom, liberty, and independence from a controlling establishment, thus reversing the political relationship of subject and sovereign. It set down in writing that rights come from God and not government. It gave birth to our Republic (and resulted in a war of independence to gain those rights. It led to the formation of a government to secure those rights “ …deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”.

Chief among those right is the right to vote and determine our own destinies.

That right of self-determination means little if an illegitimate vote cancels out a legitimate one.

If that right is stolen or undermined, consent of the governed is no longer a worry for those in power. This leads to a lack of trust in the system and foments unrest—not unlike what the original American Colonies faced in 1776.

What a perfect opportunity to remind ourselves that we are those enfranchised to select our leaders. It’s a right worth protecting.

Happy 244th Independence Day. May we celebrate many more!

Former U.S. Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco leads the Election Protection Project at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

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Press Release to the voters of Grayson County, Texas                                                                        June 26, 2020

Early voting begins Monday, June 29, 2020 and ends on July 10, 2020 for the Grayson County Democratic Primary Runoff Election. Voter and poll worker safety at the polls is our top priority in Grayson County. We ask our voters to join us and participate in the recommended voter health safety plan to continue to keep our county safe during this voting season. Elections in 2020 will be conducted with the recommended health protocols advised to our department from the Texas Secretary of State. If you have questions, please call our office at 903-893-8683 or email us at votegrayson@co.grayson.tx.us. Additional information is also available on the county website: www.co.grayson.tx.us.

The following are the minimum health safety plan recommendations in place for the Primary Runoff Election. Individuals are encouraged to adopt additional protocols consistent with their specific needs and circumstances to help protect the health and safety of all poll workers and voters.

Recommended health protocols for voters:
1) Wear a face mask covering nose and mouth. If a poll worker needs to verify identity of the voter, they will ask for the mask to be removed briefly then replaced for the duration of the voting process. Masks will be provided if needed.
2) Disinfect hands upon entering and exiting the voting area along with practicing cough etiquette, cleanliness and sanitation.
3) Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between all others, where possible.
4) Use the clear glove provided to check in and vote on equipment.
5) Voters age 65 and older and voters who have pre-existing health conditions should consider staying at home and submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (deadline for return of application is July 2), or voting curbside from their vehicles.
6) Self-screen before going to the polling place. Voters exhibiting any CDC-listed symptoms associated with COVID-19 should consider utilizing curbside voting at the polling place.

Recommended health protocols for poll workers:
1) Face shields, masks and gloves will be provided to the poll workers.
2) Consistently disinfect items that come into contact with voters.
3) Poll workers will self-screen for any CDC-listed symptoms before entering the polling place.
4) To the extent possible, maintain at least six feet between others at the polling place.
5) Arrange polling place and mark floor to allow voters to maintain six feet of separation from others.

Voting by Mail: A voter is eligible to vote early by mail if they are a registered voter who:
A. Is 65 years of age or older on Election Day;
B. Has a disability or illness defined as a sickness or a physical condition that prevents voter from appearing at the polling place without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or injuring voter’s health;
C. Expects to be out of the county during the hours that voting is conducted during early voting in person and on Election Day. An out of county address and the begin/end dates voter will receive mail at this address must be provided;
D. Is confined in jail, but eligible to vote due to 1) serving a misdemeanor sentence and will not be released prior to Election Day, or 2) pending trial or appeal after denial of bail or without bail or where release on bail before Election Day is unlikely.

To vote by mail, voters must first apply for a ballot. Applications are available by calling 903-893-8683 or visiting the Elections page on the county website. Applications must be received in our office mail by July 2, 2020.

Voting In Person During Early Voting for the Primary Runoff Election:
It is recommended voters appearing in person to vote do so during the two weeks of early voting and to arrive at non-peak times (mid-day and mid-afternoon) if possible to help social distancing and avoiding lines.

Early voting Dates and Times:
Monday – Thursday, June 29-July, 8am to 5pm
CLOSED Friday and Saturday, July 3-4
Sunday, July 5, noon to 5pm
Monday – Friday, July 6-10, 7am to 7pm

Early voting Sites:
Sherman, Election Administration, 115 W. Houston
Denison, Grayson County Sub-Courthouse, 101 W. Woodard
Pottsboro, ISD Administration, 105 Cardinal
Whitesboro City Hall, 111 W. Main
Van Alstyne, Grayson College South Campus, 1455 W. Van Alstyne Pkwy

Voting In Person on Election Day for the Primary Runoff Election:
Voter centers listed below will be open from 7:00am to 7:00pm on July 14, 2020. All eligible registered voters in Grayson County may vote at any of the Election Day sites.

Bells	Bells City Hall	203 S. Broadway
Collinsville	Collinsville Community Building	117 N. Main
Denison	Grayson College, Gym foyer	6101 Grayson Dr
Denison	Grayson County Sub-Courthouse	101 W. Woodard
Denison	Parkside Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall	301 N. Lillis Lane
Gunter	First Baptist Church	99 Gentle Creek Lane
Howe	Howe Community Center	700 W. Haning
Pottsboro	Pottsboro ISD Administration Bldg., Board Mtg. Room	105 Cardinal Lane
Sherman	Election Administration Building	115 W. Houston
Sherman	Texoma Council of Governments, Eisenhower Room	1117 Gallagher Dr
Sherman	United Way of Grayson County	713 E. Brockett
Tom Bean	First National Bank, Edwards Community Room	109 S. Britton
Van Alstyne	Grayson College South Campus, Room 203	1455 W. Van Alstyne Pkwy
Whitesboro	Whitesboro City Hall	111 W. Main
Whitewright	Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall	606 S. Carter

Howe police responded to a report of a gunshot victim at a residence in the 700 block of North Collins Freeway early Thursday morning. Grayson County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a 911 call at 2:56 a.m. from a person reporting that a 22-year-old male shot himself inside his home. Police say the victim was alive when they arrived on scene and that one of the victim’s roommates was providing him with lifesaving measures.

Van Alstyne emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and continued lifesaving efforts until an air medivac arrived. Grayson County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted by shutting down vehicle traffic on the east access of U.S. Highway 75 in order for the air ambulance to land. The victim was then flown to a metroplex hospital.

The incident is still under investigation.

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