6:00 pm: Refreshments Provided by City of Houston Councilmember Mike Knox and Judge Mark Kent Ellis

Transcription

1 AGENDA Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee Fourth Quarter 2016 Meeting Harris County Republican Party Headquarters 7232 Wynnwood Lane, Houston, Texas Monday, October 10, :00 pm: Refreshments Provided by City of Houston Councilmember Mike Knox and Judge Mark Kent Ellis 6:15 pm: SD 4 caucus: Elect Accounting Review Committee Member SD 6 caucus: Elect Ballot Security Committee Member SD 13 caucus: Elect Training & Development Committee Member 7:00 pm: Call to Order 1. Invocation / Pledges of Allegiance / National Anthem 2. Certification of Quorum 3. Review and Approval of Minutes of July 2016 Executive Committee meeting 4. Treasurer s Report 5. Chairman s Update 6. Unified Campaign Update 7. Committee Reports (NOTE: Committees not needing a vote or response from the Executive Committee will provide only written reports) 8. New Business 9. Adjourn a. Submission of Chairman s Appointments for Approval (listed below) b. Other New Business

2 Harris County Republican Party Organizational Meeting Minutes The Organizational Meeting of the Harris County Republican Party was held on July 16, Check in for the meeting started at 9:00am and the meeting was scheduled to start at 10:00am. The meeting was held in the gymnasium at Our Savior Lutheran Church located at 5000 W. Tidwell Rd., Houston, TX In attendance were members of the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee, Harris County Republican Party Chairman Paul Simpson, Harris County Republican Party officers and temporary secretary Debra Risinger. The meeting was called to order at 10:20am. The prayer was led by Pastor Larry White of Our Savior Lutheran Church. The United States pledge was led by Kendall Baker, candidate for Texas House District 137, and the Texas pledge was led by Bryan Chu, candidate for Texas House District 149. The national anthem was sung by Precinct Chair Josh Flynn and he was accompanied by HCRP Office Manager Lydia Elseth on the fiddle. Chairman Paul Simpson then welcomed everyone to the meeting. Justice Evelyn Keyes administered the Oath of Office to Paul Simpson and then to all incoming precinct chairs. Out of 434 precinct chairs, 218 were present. A quorum was certified. Precinct Chair ( 459) Alice Rekeweg mentioned Congressman Poe s illness and a moment of silence for Ted Poe and Governor Abbott was observed. Nominations for the two Republican judicial candidates for the November ballot were held. A majority of the Executive Committee must be present to make these nominations. HCRP Legal Counsel Ed Hubbard discussed the eligibility of the candidates to serve and be on the November ballot. Precinct Chair (947) Daniel Lemkuil nominated Judge Alyssa Lemkuil for the 507 th District Court and seconded. No discussion, passed unanimously. Precinct Chair (175) Mike Monks nominated Judge Linda Garcia for the 16 County Criminal Court at Law #16. Seconded by Precinct Chair (661) Thomas Bazaan. No discussion, passed unanimously. Chairman Simpson provided an update of the party status. He provided 2014 precinct map of how governor s race voted via counties. Announce State Representative Mike Schofield as present. Chairman Simpson explained how we need to focus on Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan s race. He mentioned Abbott s status on the precinct even though he won county he lost many large precincts. Chairman Paul Simpson introduced all of the staff members and their importance to our party. Chairman Simpson discussed over 160 PCT chairs recruited but did not fill need MORE/ constant changing / technology/ needs/not same party/ very competitive, connection tour meetings for precinct chairs, a precinct chair resource page on website, more precinct chair recognitions, recruit volunteers by certain dates to grow our army/winning elections/gotv, create a candidate clearing house to get the candidates out to the community to tool to recruit new volunteers win the next election between the election, use technology ask Bob Hall look at website for all training tools easy and useful for you. Use phone, pc and do many number of things: how to do a walkbook, ongoing training and development come to connection tour meetings one task we do at these meetings - Ask one work description of this fall s election! The other side has problems too and discussed view of H. Clinton not a viable candidate / people want change /she is status quo. Adoption of bylaws in packet in meeting call Josh Flynn moved for adoption of the bylaws as submitted. Seconded by Danny Stinson. After discussion adopted unanimously. Josh Flynn then called for adoption of the rules of order as submitted. Moved by Betty Avery Pct 398 to add to rule one of rules of order Constitution and statues of the United States. Seconded by Peter Craney. After discussion motion passed. Rules adopted as amended unanimously. Rules of Order Nominations For HCRP Secretary Precinct Chair (314) David Riddle nominated Cathy O Briant. Motion was seconded by Precinct Chair (463) Bruce Campbell. Precinct Chair (416) Scott Bowen nominated Debra Risinger. Motion seconded by Precinct Chair (333) Greg Aydt. Cathy O Briant was not present due to a family issue. Precinct Chair (459) Alice Rekeweg moved for this vote to be by secret ballot. Precinct Chair (297) Beth Akin 2nd the motion. Motion passed. Results of the vote:

3 Cathy 74 (SD-7: 28) (SD 6: 2) (SD11: 0) (SD15: 16) (SD18: 1) (SD13: 7) (SD4: 2) (SD17: 18) Debra 137 (SD 7: 14) (SD 6: 17) (SD 11: 21) (SD 15: 36) (SD 18 :2) (SD 13: 21) (SD 4: 10) (SD 17: 16) County Chair Appointments Chairman Simpson has not appointed a Vice Chair. Legal counsel Precinct Chair (174) Art Oswald nominated Ed Hubbard. Precinct Chair (499) Ralph Fite seconded. Unanimous decision. Sergeant at Arms Precinct Chair David Riddle nominated Joe Pennington. Precinct Chair (398) Betty Avery seconded. No debate. Passed. Chris McDonald is temporary Sergeant at arms for the remainder of the meeting. Treasurer s report Cindy Siegel spoke. Thanks Kelly Cryer GREAT JOB Lydia will take her place. GET PRESENTATION from packet. HCRP needs money for down ballot candidates!!!! Comment: PCT 0577 Mary Jane Biesert do we have applications for renewal for HCRP membership. Is minimum grassroots online. Are there application and renewal forms here at the meeting? Response is No not at this meeting. Order of Business Ralph Fite moved to approve the precinct chairs in the packet. Steve Mueller, seconded by Greg Aydt to add Jasmine Davis to the list. Motion approved. Mark Brown moved to add Gerry Vander-Lyn. Motion was seconded and approved (123 to 74) by standing vote. Motion: PCT 459 Alice Rekeweg want to vote separately on the names Donna Quin, Luis Rey and Tristan Robinson. After discussion motion was withdrawn. Precinct Chair Jim Hotze moved to approve the names in the packet for precincts 308, 192, 14, 751 and 720. Motion seconded and passed. Vote was taken on all names added to list to approve for precinct chair. Motion passed. Justice Keyes administer oath of office to newly installed PCT Chairs Break for lunch 12:29 pm. Attend SD Caucuses. Session reconvened: 3:04 pm Paul: 45 days for first committee meetings to be called Future EXEC meetings to be planned via advisory committee date tbd Future notices for EXEC meetings will be via Appointments 95 applications for Paul to sift thru within the next weeks. David Riddle moved and was seconded to make the approve the following appointments: Ballot Security Alan Vera, Financial Dev. Joe Slovacek, Vacancy PCT 333 Greg Aydt. Scott Bowen introduce resolution: to oppose High Speed Rail. Quorum call from the floor: 114 present. ( (newly added) = 479 / Needed 120). Meeting adjourned at 3:13pm due to lack of quorum

4 Chairman s Committee appointments to be submitted for approval at October 2016 Meeting : Ballot Security Committee: Ann Crocker Gerry Schroeder Candidates Committee: State Representative Michael Schofield Susan Rutherford Engagement Committee: Caro Delgado Grace Huang Alan Powell Lily Truong James Young Financial Development Committee: Molly Maness Training & Development Committee: Patrick Gant Young Leadership Committee: Josh Sanders Ben Proler Derek Nelson Ryan McKnight Sandi Steinbacher Eric Osborne Colby Hodges Chris Busby Carl Jarvis Matthew Conner George Flugrad Jared Field Tracy Hobson Travis Walker Mac Flores Bobby Rodriguez Julio Torres Ryan Ellis Kawanski Nichols Will Simpson Kendrick Dean Sarah Crawford Lena Nguyen Vacancy Committee Recommendations to HCRP Executive Committee: As of the date of this call, the Vacancy Committee has recommended the following candidates for approval by the Harris County Republican Executive Committee to fill Precinct Chair vacancies at the Executive Committee meeting on October 10, 2016: PCT Name VUID SD HD Primary Voting History ( 16, 14, 12, 10, 08) 2 Lee Krause R, R, R, R, D 127 Jay Hargett R, R, R, R, R 309 Grant Dunwoody R, R, R, R, R 486 James Buntrock R, R, R, R, R

5 596 Rudy Fonseca R, -, -, -, James Tomlin R, -, R, -, R 853 Jamie Fuselier R, -, R, -, Bianca Gracia R, -, -, -, D 393 Linda Shackelford R, R, -, R, R 85 Daniel Caldwell R, R, R, R, R 57 Clinton Roberts R, -, R, R, R 380 Cody Sain R, R, R, R, Jerry Norman R, R, R, R, R 723 Ann Crocker R, R, R, R, R 725 John Toppass R, R, R, R, R 15 Cece McCann R, R, R, R, R 491 Marilyn Barfoot R, -, R, R, R 804 James Womack R, R, R, R, R Notes for the above candidates: Lee Krause (SD 6, PCT 2)- Lee is a 5th generation Texan. He is a strong proponent of the FAIR Tax and is a Constitutional Conservative. A graduate of Texas A&M, he has previously worked in project management for GE Oil & Gas. Lee previously served as President of the GE Westway Toastmaster Club. He has previously worked in the HOA in his Heights neighborhood. Lee also stated that he done some prior door-to-door campaigning. Jay Hargett (SD 7, PCT 127)- Jay works as an Information Technology professional in Lone Star College in Tomball. His Republican Primary voting history is solid. Jay has resided in the same Tomball neighborhood where his precinct is located since He holds strong Constitutional conservative political beliefs. Jay was recruited by Barbara Tague, an active and exemplary precinct chair in SD7. Grant Dunwoody (SD 7, PCT 309)- Grant is an exemplary member of the Wilchester and Nottingham Forest Subdivisions in the West Houston Memorial Area in which he has been a resident for 14 years since An attorney in private practice, he has served as a delegate to several Senatorial and State Conventions. He holds strong conservative values. James Buntrock (SD 7, PCT 486)- James is Associate Pastor of the Glorious Way Church in Tomball area. He helped organize the fight against Mayor Parker's HERO ordinance, including getting church members to publicly testify against it at City Hall. He has recently supported Ted Cruz for President and House members: Dr. Tom Oliverson (130) and Kevin Roberts (126) and was a delegate to the most recent Senatorial and State Conventions. Rudy Fonseca (SD 7, PCT 596)- Rudy has served as an intern in the HCRP Northwest Office. As a student at the University of Houston majoring in Political Science with a minor in economics, he is only 20 years old, hence his having only been old enough to vote in one Republican Primary Election. He attended last year's Senatorial and State Conventions, and he holds strong Republican beliefs. His family came to the U.S. from Costa Rica.

6 James Tomlin (SD 7, PCT 712)- James is a strong defender of the unborn. In fact, he saved his own son when his wife wanted to leave their marriage and abort her child. He has previously been an activist protestor in front of the Planned Parenthood Building. James stated that he loves his community in Katy/Cypress area, where he has resided since A graduate of Texas A&M, his job as a Sysco Foods information technology desk help technician was outsourced to India. He recently became a teacher of 8th Grade math in low performing HISD school, where he hopes to make a difference. Jamie Fuselier (SD 7, PCT 853)- Jamie has been a recent student (eldest in class at age 40) of the HCRP's Harris County Leadership Council Program. He has been involved in Republican campaigns and Republican clubs in the North Houston/Spring Area in which his precinct is located. Jamie is a Senior Manager of Credit for Targa Resources and expresses interest in possible future runs for public office. Bianca Gracia (SD 11, PCT 352)- Bianca lit up the interview room with her enthusiasm. Growing up in a Democrat Hispanic family in South Texas, she now proudly proclaims the Republican Party as having the Godand Constitutionally based principles in which she believes. Very involved in her community, Bianca is a part time home schooler and President of a Deer Park School PTO. Husband is a HPD officer; she has 2 brothers in U.S. military. Linda Shackelford (SD 11, PCT 393)- Linda is a member of the Clear Lake Tea Party. She believes one of the greatest problems in government is the violation of Constitutional Law and the overreach of Executive Orders. She has financially supported Ted Cruz for President in and supported Mitt Romney in She is enthusiastic about increasing voting turnout in her precinct in the Webster area in SD 11. Daniel Caldwell (SD 13, PCT 85)- Daniel is attending Texas Southern University Law School on a full scholarship. He is in his initial year there, so he can serve for 3 years in this heavily Democrat precinct. It will be beneficial to have a sitting Alternate Republican Election Judge in an overwhelmingly Democrat precinct to help insure honest elections. He has supported Republican candidates since 2004 including most recently Rand Paul, Ted Cruz & Donald Trump. Daniel also served as a delegate to the last 3 State Conventions. Clinton Roberts (SD 15, PCT 57)- Clint is managing partner of a real estate investment firm, serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Houston and lives in the Heights with his wife Kindra. He demonstrated strong command of the issues and supports the key principles of the state party platform. His previous political involvement includes volunteering for a GOP congressional campaign while at the University of Texas and later contributing to candidates such as David Dewhurst and Jeb Bush. Cody Sain (SD 15, PCT 380)- Cody was sworn in as a Precinct Chair earlier this year. Was not able to be sworn in at the Organizational Meeting. Committee voted to recommend him this time. Jerry Norman (SD 15, PCT 614)- Jerry exhibits energy and enthusiasm to serve in his precinct located in the 1960 & Veterans Memorial Parkway area in NW Houston. He previously served as a computer systems analyst and is now working on his own as an oil and gas landman. He has a solid Republican Primary voting history and holds strongly conservative political beliefs. Ann Crocker (SD 15, PCT 723)- Ann impressed the committee with her enthusiasm and positive attitude. She and her husband Thomas were delegates to this year's senate district and state conventions, and she even attended the HCRP organizational meeting in July. She is a commercial property manager and was active on the Inwood West HOA. Ann is a strong social economic conservative and has actively sought opportunities this year to help the party at the grassroots level. John Toppass (SD 15, PCT 725)- John has lived in his neighborhood for 25 years. At age 60, he is now working on his real estate license. He has previously volunteered on a number of Republican campaigns going door-to-door and phone banking including Ted Cruz Senatorial and Presidential campaigns. He describes himself as very conservative and a strong believer in the U.S. Constitution.

7 Cece McCann (SD 17, PCT 15)- Cece has been active in her West University area precinct for a number of years and previous election experience as an Election Judge and as an Alternate Judge. She has been actively involved in GOTV activities with the HCRP in this election cycle and has a solid past 5 Repubilcan Primary voting history. She is a strong fiscal conservative. Marilyn Barfoot (SD 17, PCT 491)- Marilyn is a solid conservative who "would like to help the country move in a different direction". She is willing to work on turning out the vote in this strongly Republican Westheimer/Yorktown area precinct just west of the Galleria. She has a desire to become active with the decline of the Country. James Womack (SD 17, PCT 804)- James has been assisting two prior Precinct Chairs: Cindi Lawrence and LaDawn Weeks. LaDawn is no longer physically able to serve and asked James to apply. He has prior experience as clerk, alternate judge & election judge. James has also served on his local HOA. He owns an independent insurance agency in Katy. Ballot Security Committee Report Chairman: Alan Vera 1. Status of 2016 General Election Staffing With 14 days until the start of Early Voting in Harris County, HCRP has fully staffed all Early Voting Locations with our allotment of Republican Supervisors and clerks. For November 8 we have staffed all precincts in County Commissioners Precincts 2, 3 & 4. We are still about 90 Alternate Judges shy of fully staffing all the precincts in CC 1. We will try to cover some of those precincts with Poll Watchers. 2. Effect of Compromise on Photo Voter ID The compromise on the Texas Photo Voter ID law presents a limiting Rule of Engagement for this general election. There is nothing we can do at this time about the relaxed forms of ID accepted by the Attorney General. However, there have been lengthy discussions about ways to fix the law in the next session. The biggest threat to election integrity will not be voter impersonation at the polls. It will still be voters being allowed to vote (multiple times) at polling places where they are not registered to vote. The only way to stop this abuse is with HCRP boots on the ground in Democrat precincts on November Early Voting Ballot Board & Signature Verification Committee HCRP has appointed and the Harris County Election Board has approved a team of highly experienced Republicans to review every mail ballot and to render decisions on provisional ballots for this election. 4. Illegal Voter Registrations With approval of the HCRP Rules Committee, the Ballot Security Committee has begun appointing non-voting members to BSC for the purpose of reviewing and challenging voter registrations in Harris County. We have received approval to purchase new voter registrations from the County Voter Registrar and to review the authenticity of the data against a background check database. This effort is underway. 5. Questionable Voter Registration Drives Thanks to alert Republican voters in Harris County BSC is taking action on some irregularities in a Texas voter registration effort fielded by supporters of the Democrat Party. 6. Legislator Support for New Legislation We are gaining support from State Reps & Senators for legislative initiatives addressing abuses in voter registration addresses and mail ballots from nursing homes and state institutions. We are also gaining support to raise some election fraud offenses from misdemeanors to felonies in Texas.

8 Engagement Committee Report Chair: Mike Bercu Mission: Win Hearts and Votes of All Motto: Engagement is Everyone's Job The Engagement Committee engages organizations and sponsors events in communities that the Harris County Republican Party has identified a need to increase the Republican vote. The committee provides leadership, funding, and volunteers. We collect names and work with the HCRP to get these people in Nation Builder for further follow-up. Since getting votes is everyone s job we must facilitate ways for the Harris County Republican Party and activists to be more active in engagement. We have sponsored and/or participated in events in the Asia, Indian, Hispanic, African-American and Jewish communities. We have collected names from attendees for follow-up. Many lean our way and/or are Republicans that regularly vote. As a side benefit we were able to identify new Precinct Chair candidates for vacant Precincts. Events this year: India's Independence Day, Pakistan Independence Day, Harris County Republican Party Grand Opening Westside, 4th of July Parades, Asian Festival market, Black Heritage Festival, MLK Parade, Flag Hoisting 67th Republic Day at India House, Clear Lake Chinese Lunar New Year's, Chinese Community Center Lunar Year Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Luncheon, Vietnamese New Year Lien Hoa Temple, Lunar New Year Viet Hoa Center, Kosher Chili Cook-off, We the People ( formerly LULAC Council 4287) Luncheons This year we are increasing our participation with organizations. We are attending organization meetings or networking with members with minority organizations that share our values. For example, we are working with a former LULAC Council Executive (Baldomero Garza) to schedule events and meetings to highlight the conservative values of both Hispanics and Republican values. We now have about 35 people actively looking and participating in Engagement events in many communities We encourage all of you to volunteer to man our booths and/or attend the events and meetings. We publish this information bi-weekly in the HCRP newsletter. Military Partnership Committee Report Chair: Betty Avery Purpose: Promote GOTV of Military and Build Awareness Foster relationships with Veterans and HCRP Heighten awareness of interaction with veteran organizations Committee Members * Denotes Attended Called Meeting (Max of 2) SD 4 - Earl Boykin ** SD 6- Karl Faulkner ** SD 7 -Betty Avery ** SD 7 - Morad Fiki * SD 11- Randy Elms ** SD 15- R.W. Bray * SD 15 -Brian Bullard ** SD 17- Tim Taft SD 17- Rebeca Stone ** SD 18 -Unfilled SD 18 Unfilled (pending Caucus) Quarterly Highlights Election of Officers for Term Committee Chair Betty Avery, Vice Chair Gene Pack, Secretary Karl Falken Event Planning

9 Wings Over Houston (WHO) October 22 and 23 rd GOTV Secure booth funding and Outreach to candidates via Katy Office Grand Opening Announcement, Republican Women s Clubs, Engagement Committee, CV4A, and Social Media Coordinator for Event WAAH Wreaths Across America Houston Promotion for December 17 th placement at Houston National additional information forthcoming Discussion on Veterans Day Events and Veterans Organizations for GOTV Launch of Social Media for MPC Twitter, and Facebook Next Meeting October, 17, 2016 at 7:00 PM (19:00) Local Government Committee (LGC) Report Chair: Dan Comstock The following Mission Statement as drafted and accepted by the members of the Local Government Committee (LGC) prior to August 2016 is in keeping with the HCRP Bylaws Article VIII, Section K, issued by the HCRP Executive Committee. Mission Statement of the HCRP Local Government Committee "Liaise with Local Governmental Entities and provide information from them to the Executive Committee regarding electoral opportunities and policy concerns with the goal being to get more Republican and likeminded Independents elected. Moreover, to work with activist groups to effect policy changes in Local Governmental agencies to make them more in line with Republican values. Drafted March The above mission statement, drafted by the current members of the Local Government Committee, is supplemental to the guidelines from the charter of the formation of the HCRP Local Government Committee. It was understood that we are a service committee. It was decided at the last meeting to keep the Committee on Outreach informed with the view in mind of cooperative efforts at the local government level. Communication was established with this committee at the time of the last meeting. Two task groups have been formed within the Local Government Committee itself as of this date regarding the following priorities: Relationships with City Councils including the City mayors with attention being given initially to Humble, Pasadena and Baytown (headed up by Kelly Horsley). The City of Houston pension fund issues for both the police and fire departments (headed up by Jim McSpadden). It is intended to expand the effectiveness of the LGC by bringing in people outside the committee itself, in the form of auxiliaries and/or task groups to work on special tasks. Issues under general review include: Relationships with City Councils including the City mayors City of Houston pension funds for both police and fire department The Texas Central Railway plan for Houston to Dallas The Houston ISD ballot initiative on the purchase of attendance credits Flooding issues including the situation regarding dams and reservoirs Housing issues regarding the HUD driven placement of affordable housing construction Relationships with unincorporated villages City Mayor races by City City Council races by City City Charter Amendments by Amendment by City Emergency Services District Board races and issues ESD

10 Independent School District Board races and issues by ISD Junior College Board races and issues by Junior College system METRO Board and issues Municipal Utility Board races and issues by MUD District Non-elected Taxing Boards and Issues by Entity (such as TIRZ) Proposed Bonds and Issues by Entity proposing the bonds Water District Board races and issues by Entity Bond issues of all kinds The money trail in Harris County How to provide each precinct chair with information relevant to the voters in that precinct

11 Not Approved 10/10/16 Taxpayer and Landowner Protection Resolution Texans have repeatedly affirmed through our elections, our activism, and our laws that the right to private property is an indispensable facet of our way of life; and, The proposed high-speed train between Houston, Dallas, and Grimes County, known as the Texas Central Railway, threatens to use the power of eminent domain to seize and separate land in its desired right-of-way; and, Unlike most eminent domain projects, the Texas Central Railway will not be for public use, and will only be available to Houston and Dallas residents who are willing to pay tickets projected to exceed $100 each way; and, With few exceptions, the history of passenger rail in the United States has been one of deep financial losses, taxpayer subsidies, and bailouts; and, If the railway turns out to be unprofitable, it will either be bailed out by the Texas taxpayers or fold. Either way, it will be too late to restore the damage done to Texans during the acquisition and construction process; and, It is our role as Texans and as Republicans to stand up for the rights of property owners and taxpayers; and, The Texas Central Railway should support the enactment of protections against a bailout and against unjust takings. These measures would reassure taxpayers that we will never be on the hook for this, reassure landowners in the right-of-way, and inspire public confidence in the project. Therefore, Be it resolved: That in keeping with the property rights plank of the Texas GOP Platform, which states that the condemner should be required to petition a court of jurisdiction to show public necessity for any taking of property, the Harris County Republican Party opposes the use or threat of the use of eminent domain to seize land in the desired right-of-way of the Texas Central Railway; and, Be it resolved: That in keeping with Principle #9 of the Texas GOP Platform, which reiterates our belief in a free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies, the Harris County Republican Party opposes the appropriation of any taxpayer funds toward high-speed rail in Texas in any capacity, and supports legislative efforts to ensure that such an appropriation cannot occur; and, Be it resolved: That this resolution shall be certified by the Chairman of the Harris County Republican Party and physically or electronically mailed to all Republican State Representatives, State Senators, and County officials within five (5) days of passage. Respectfully submitted, Scott Bowen Senate District 11 Chairman

12 Not Approved 10/10/16 A resolution of the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee

13 Not Approved 10/10/16 Resolution To Eliminate Multilingual Ballots Whereas, since 1907, the United States has required immigrants to learn English in order to naturalize and acquire the rights of citizenship, including the right to vote in federal elections, and Whereas, There is No Justification for Multilingual Ballots and Election Materials Multilingual Ballot Requirements are Arbitrary and Wasteful Multilingual Ballots are an Unfunded Mandate on Local Governments Multilingual Ballots increase the likelihood of Errors and Vote Fraud Multilingual Ballots are a Growing Burden Therefore, Be it resolved to limit the Voting Rights Act of 1965 from establishing multilingual ballots in 25 states and to support the English Language Unity Act (HR 997) to eliminate multilingual ballots. Submitted by Drake Cameron, Pct Chair 805 Considered by the Harris County Republican Executive Committee October 10, 2016 Upon passage, the HCRP is requested to relay this resolution to all U.S. House of Representatives representing citizens of Harris County and Speaker Paul Ryan. Reference: