Texas Move to Scrap Countywide Voting Could Disenfranchise Many, Increase Election Costs
Former CBP Officer Convicted for Accepting Bribes, Facilitating Drug and Human Trafficking
Texas Move to Scrap Countywide Voting Could Disenfranchise Many, Increase Election Costs
Natalia Contreras, Votebeat, and The Texas Tribune.- Texas conservatives advocate eliminating countywide voting, which could significantly impact voter access and increase electoral costs. If enacted, voters must vote at their specific precincts rather than at any location within their county. This attempt could disenfranchise those mistakenly visiting the wrong polling site, as they could only vote provisionally. Election officials warn that returning to precinct-only voting would require more polling locations, additional staff, and increased funding, with estimates suggesting costs could rise by at least $300,000 in some counties like Lubbock. This change could also reduce flexibility in handling unforeseen disruptions at polling places, such as power outages or equipment failures, potentially turning away voters who cannot reach their designated precinct.
Impact on the Border:
The proposed elimination of countywide voting could particularly affect border counties in Texas, where there are often significant immigrant and transient populations. These areas might see increased voter disenfranchisement due to confusion over polling locations and the logistical challenges of reaching designated precincts. Given the mobility and scheduling challenges that can characterize life in border communities, the flexibility that countywide voting offers is crucial. It allows voters to participate in elections at any convenient polling station within their county, adapting to border life's dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature. Ending this system could lead to lower voter turnout and higher disenfranchisement in these sensitive regions, where every vote is critical to representing the unique needs and interests of border populations.
Former CBP Officer Convicted for Accepting Bribes, Facilitating Drug and Human Trafficking
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune.- A former Customs and Border Protection officer, Leonard Darnell George, was convicted by a San Diego federal jury for taking bribes in return for allowing drug and human trafficking through his inspection lane at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Convicted on multiple felony counts, including bribery and conspiring to import methamphetamine and smuggle undocumented migrants, George was found to have facilitated these illegal activities while working, netting between $300,000 and $400,000 from traffickers. The case, showcasing how traffickers nicknamed him "The Goalie," highlights severe breaches of duty and public trust within CBP. George, who previously worked for a private prison company, is set for sentencing in September. This case underlines CBP’s zero tolerance for misconduct and emphasizes its commitment to integrity and professionalism in its ranks.
Biden Considers Granting Residency Path for Migrant Spouses Amidst Political Pushback
Miriam Jordan, The New York Times.- The Biden administration is contemplating a new policy that could offer a pathway to residency for spouses of U.S. citizens living illegally in the country, such as Sergio de Azevedo, who faced a mandatory 10-year return to Brazil to apply for a green card due to his undocumented entry into the U.S. This proposal, which would utilize the "parole in place" mechanism, aims to address the plight of approximately 1.1 million undocumented individuals in similar situations across the U.S. This policy change is increasingly vital as it could influence voter sentiments in key swing states with significant numbers of mixed-status households. While the proposal garners support from various sectors facing labor shortages, it faces staunch opposition from critics who view it as an overreach of executive powers. The potential change could mark the most substantial relief for undocumented immigrants since the 1986 amnesty law and DACA.
Mexican Army Detains 437 People and Seizes 124 Weapons in Baja California
Zeta Editorial.- In a coordinated effort between the Second Military Region and the II Military Zone, the Mexican Army has detained 437 individuals for flagrant crimes in Baja California from February 1 to May 31, 2024. This action is part of the National Public Security Strategy and the Zero Impunity policy of the federal government. In addition to the arrests, 124 firearms were seized, a laboratory was dismantled, and an aircraft was seized. The operations also resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of drugs, including more than a ton of marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and heroin, reinforcing the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.