Texas is governed predominantly by Republicans, and have for some time (although some Democrats are scattered here and there). Seems like any problems in the making are the fault of those who have governed and make decisions during those times? Whether it be the decisions on the process, tools/technology, vendors etc..
I would encourage you to try to think outside of the usual dichotomies of Dem & Rep. There are Republicans trying to solve the technical issues in Williamson County and they are not necessarily supported by the Republicans who are controlling the party in the county.
Technically the election administrator does not have a political affiliation, and is supposed to serve both parties. But if the election administrator, Bridgette Escobedo is sabotaging Republican efforts at cleaning up their tech, as Ms. Gallagher claims - Escobedo’s loyalty may be to the vendors, or some other unknown issue or party. The end results is that voters are disenfranchised, traumatized and become jaded.
Solutions are not going to be in one political camp or the other. Solutions will come from exploring the real problems in the county’s elections and holding election officials accountable for improvements.
Thanks for providing additional information. I understand that the goal of the article is to focus on the problem at hand so that a solution can be implemented rather than playing the blame game. It's completely fair to say that my comment missed the main takeaway of the article. I was not trying to parrot your article but I was attempting to explore part of the problem.
When exploring and analyzing a problem, it is important to understand the participants that played a part in the problem so that we know who to hold accountable. I guarantee the root cause goes beyond Bridgette Escobedo wanting to fill her pockets. This problem happened before she was appointed in 2024 right? So I don't know if I buy that reasoning.
I get it may not be the whole Republican party, some Republicans caused the problem but also some Republicans want to fix it. Nonetheless, in this particular case, this is a Republican mess.
I understand your point, I just think the framing is unhelpful and inaccurate. The reason I say that is because we have the same type of issues in New York, which is largely controlled by Democrats and has a super majority Democratic Assembly.
The problem is not the particular party in power. The problem is that our elections are by and large controlled by and at the mercy of the vendors who own and manage the election technology. Most of the politicians, across the political spectrum, have learned to cooperate with them, because keep in mind those politicians get elected on the technology that the vendors control.
The vendors are also very savvy and they know which relationships in local communities are the ones they have to nurture to stay in business.
I don't know the particular case in NY. I don't know the similarities or differences with this Texas case. I don't know if it's worth comparing. But for the sake of this discussion, that case would be a Democrat mess to fix.
You may generalize and say if it is true that both parties have this mess then it's not a party issue.
I partially disagree, the problem is absolutely the governing party who ever that may be. Because the governing party job is to govern (to make and administer public policy to exercise control) over matters like elections.
The governing parties have created and maintained a system that allows this type of lobbying and such behavior to happen. Again, understanding the leading participants and serving accountability is a necessary part of any solution (whatever that may be). Changing a problematic system without changing the people who created the problem is not a sustainable solution. So understanding who to hold accountable is helpful.
The buck stops at the governing party members. And the issue that's making waves, and that this particular article is on, happens to be in Texas which is a Republican mess.
Texas is governed predominantly by Republicans, and have for some time (although some Democrats are scattered here and there). Seems like any problems in the making are the fault of those who have governed and make decisions during those times? Whether it be the decisions on the process, tools/technology, vendors etc..
I would encourage you to try to think outside of the usual dichotomies of Dem & Rep. There are Republicans trying to solve the technical issues in Williamson County and they are not necessarily supported by the Republicans who are controlling the party in the county.
Technically the election administrator does not have a political affiliation, and is supposed to serve both parties. But if the election administrator, Bridgette Escobedo is sabotaging Republican efforts at cleaning up their tech, as Ms. Gallagher claims - Escobedo’s loyalty may be to the vendors, or some other unknown issue or party. The end results is that voters are disenfranchised, traumatized and become jaded.
Solutions are not going to be in one political camp or the other. Solutions will come from exploring the real problems in the county’s elections and holding election officials accountable for improvements.
Btw if this was a Democrat mess I would have no trouble saying it. I think holding all accountable is important. Especially these days.
Thanks for providing additional information. I understand that the goal of the article is to focus on the problem at hand so that a solution can be implemented rather than playing the blame game. It's completely fair to say that my comment missed the main takeaway of the article. I was not trying to parrot your article but I was attempting to explore part of the problem.
When exploring and analyzing a problem, it is important to understand the participants that played a part in the problem so that we know who to hold accountable. I guarantee the root cause goes beyond Bridgette Escobedo wanting to fill her pockets. This problem happened before she was appointed in 2024 right? So I don't know if I buy that reasoning.
I get it may not be the whole Republican party, some Republicans caused the problem but also some Republicans want to fix it. Nonetheless, in this particular case, this is a Republican mess.
I understand your point, I just think the framing is unhelpful and inaccurate. The reason I say that is because we have the same type of issues in New York, which is largely controlled by Democrats and has a super majority Democratic Assembly.
The problem is not the particular party in power. The problem is that our elections are by and large controlled by and at the mercy of the vendors who own and manage the election technology. Most of the politicians, across the political spectrum, have learned to cooperate with them, because keep in mind those politicians get elected on the technology that the vendors control.
The vendors are also very savvy and they know which relationships in local communities are the ones they have to nurture to stay in business.
I don't know the particular case in NY. I don't know the similarities or differences with this Texas case. I don't know if it's worth comparing. But for the sake of this discussion, that case would be a Democrat mess to fix.
You may generalize and say if it is true that both parties have this mess then it's not a party issue.
I partially disagree, the problem is absolutely the governing party who ever that may be. Because the governing party job is to govern (to make and administer public policy to exercise control) over matters like elections.
The governing parties have created and maintained a system that allows this type of lobbying and such behavior to happen. Again, understanding the leading participants and serving accountability is a necessary part of any solution (whatever that may be). Changing a problematic system without changing the people who created the problem is not a sustainable solution. So understanding who to hold accountable is helpful.
The buck stops at the governing party members. And the issue that's making waves, and that this particular article is on, happens to be in Texas which is a Republican mess.
Fyi by saying "fill her pockets" I'm alluding to vendor loyalty.