Voter reports apparent ballot-language irregularity; neighbor urges short-term rental enforcement

A Rowlett resident used the public-comment period to raise concerns about apparent ballot-language irregularities during the runoff election and to urge stronger public notification and enforcement for short-term rentals after a large party.

Steve Horowitz, who identified his address as 6118 Lincolnshire Court, said that during voting in the recent runoff he observed Vietnamese writing on his ballot machine that he believed should have been displayed in English. Horowitz said he asked the election judge to destroy that ballot and vote again, and said the same language appeared when he voted a second time. ‘‘Given the events of the last 5 years, I think that’s something that we need to look into because if there’s an irregularity with that, what other irregularities are going on?’’ he said.

Horowitz also recommended that the city use communications such as the water bill or text-alert systems to notify residents about elections. He suggested the Nixle system used in Rockwall County as an example.

Separately, Horowitz thanked the Rowlett Police Department for responding to a large party at a short-term rental and described the party as involving ‘‘42 cars’’ on the street. He urged the city to require short-term rental hosts to provide explicit rules to guests — for example, prohibitions on parties, trash-day reminders and parking instructions — and to publicly post violations. He asked the city to consider text notifications for guests showing house rules.

The mayor reminded speakers that no council action is taken during citizens input; Horowitz’s comments were received for the public record.