Jacquelyn Callanen, Bexar County Elections Administrator Has Been Officially Ordered to Add 129 Election Polling Sites
As promised, the San Antonio Observer has continued to monitor the Bexar County Elections Department and its leadership, in particular Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen.
The Observers first reporting on this story of voter suppression was printed September 28th You can also read here HERE. Prior to our reporting the local media printed several articles about the Elections Department and the upcoming November 8th election. But their articles seem to imply that the Elections Department was doing a stellar job. In fact, one news outlet quoted Judge Nelson Wolff defending Callanen and the Elections Department. He was quoted as saying “…and I have all the confidence in the world. She runs a very good election.” Another article quoted Bexar County Democratic Party Chairwoman Monica Ramirez Alcántara as saying “…Jacque does a phenomenal job in regard to the election process,” Both Alcantara and Wolff are members of the Bexar County Elections Board and Elections Commission. In addition, Wolff leads the Bexar County Commissioners Court.
SHE RUNS A VERY GOOD ELECTION
If Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen is in violation of a 2020 court order from Judge Pozza that mandates that the Bexar County Elections Department follow the law and Texas Election Code 43.007 which outlines the exact number of polling sites in Bexar County, how is it that she runs a very good election? Defying a court order and depriving Bexar County citizens of court mandated polling sites is contradictory in the least.
OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK
BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS PICK UP THE TAB FOR LAWSUITS FORCING COMPLIANCE
LAWSUIT NUMBER 1
In October of 2020 Judge Karen Pozza of the 45th District Court of Bexar County ruled against Bexar County and granted a temporary injunction to voting rights groups after they sued Bexar County and Jacquelyn Callanen for violations of state election laws. Judge Pozza found that Bexar County did not have enough polling places as dictated by law and that voter turnout is negatively impacted by increasing the time and distance it takes to get to a polling place, and voters of color are significantly impacted by the increased distance. Yet, in September of 2022. in defiance of Judge Pozza, Jacquelyn Callanen asked the Commissioners Court to approve 259 election day locations. That is 129 voting locations short of what was mandated in 2020.
LAWSUIT NUMBER 2
On Monday, October 10, 2022, state district Judge Martha Tanner ordered Bexar County elections officials to add more polling places. The Judge agreed with the Texas Organizing Project that Bexar County would be in violation by not having the required 388 polling sites available.
LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY
When first reporting this story the Observer reached out to Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr. to ask “Can Jacquelyn Callanen be replaced?” his response was “The public needs to be more involved and demand transparency from her office. We need leadership who is more open to the population boom in Bexar County and the diversity that comes with it.” Calvert is adamant that Callanen can be replaced when the outrage becomes so overwhelming that the public demands the Elections Board and the Elections Commission step up and do their job of oversight of the Elections Department.
Contrary to statements made otherwise, she is not running a very good election and there are elections every year. We cannot keep fighting with someone who must be ordered by a Judge to do her job in accordance to the law. It’s costing the residents of this county money, a sense of fairness and democracy.
The San Antonio Observer will continue to report to you, the public any updates on this and other violations and efforts at disenfranchisement sanctioned by the Bexar County Elections Department.
