To keep the residents of Colorado County informed of state and federal activities that could affect our citizens, I wanted to make everyone aware of a variety of activities that I have been told will start. This Presidential year has already heated up and taken over the news; Presidential Elections bring out the voters and the scammers. Scammers will use any excuse they can to take advantage of you, even using your responsible citizenship.
Voter’s Applications are being mass-mailed out by a variety of special interest groups. You may already be a registered voter and re- ceived your voter's certificate direct - ly from my office but still receive an application in the mail. If you know you’re registered, you can throw the application away. If you don’t know if you’re registered, please check the Secretary of State website to see if you are a registered voter at votetexas. gov. If you receive an application addressed to someone who is no longer at that address, there is no need for you to do anything other than dispose of the unsolicited material.
Several of these groups have VERY old lists of registered voters.
Scam Alert— In the months and weeks before every election, unsolicited phone calls, letters, and frontdoor offers are made asking you to update or "confirm" your voter regis tration. This is an old ruse to collect personal and financial information, such as credit card numbers, for identity theft. The truth: People can’t register over the phone in Texas (or in most other areas). We need their actual signature, and we require only the last digits of an SSN or a DL on an official registration form.
Applications for Ballot by Mail – If you are over 65 or disabled you are eligible to vote by mail. The last day for my office to receive these ap plications is Oct. 25, 2024. Political parties will start a mass campaign to mail all registered voters over the age of 65 an application even if it was not requested. If you have already sent in your application or do not want to vote by mail, again please dispose of the unsolicited material. If you want to vote by mail and you get an application fill it out and send it in. Please do not fill out multiple applications.
Scam Alert— Applications for Ballot by Mail must be sent directly to your local county election office at 1117 Travis St., Columbus, TX 78934. If an unsolicited application has a different mailing address, do not fill it out and be prepared to turn over the false document.
I have been told there are several campaign organizations planning on Canvassing (going door to door) in Texas. Colorado County may or may not have one slot of visitors, but I want our community to beware and understand if someone does come to your door that, legitimate canvassers will leave behind literature or donation and registration forms that you can mail. Real pollsters won't delve deeper than your opinions of candidates and issues.
Scam Alert— If someone comes to your door and introduces themselves as someone from a political organization, never provide your Social Security number, income level, birth date, or hometown. This information is useful for identity thieves. If someone asks, it is more than likely they are not legitimate, and you need to notify your local law enforcement agency.
Scam Alert— You can vote in person (early or on election day) and receive your ballot in the mail with an approved application. You cannot vote by text, email, or any other electronic service. If you receive something that looks like a ballot but requests money, it’s a scam and needs to be reported. If you receive an email asking for personal or fi nancial information before you get your ballot, again, report it.
If you ever have questions, you can always contact my office at 979- 732-6860.
