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Public commenter urges subpoenas and reconvening of election commission after limited FOIA response
Summary
A public commenter at a Uvalde County meeting said a single FOIA response left election records incomplete and urged officials to seek subpoenas and revive the inactive election commission to vet a rushed hire and ensure transparency.
At a Uvalde County meeting, Speaker 1, a public commenter, urged elected officials to pursue subpoenas after receiving only one response to a Freedom of Information Act request and said the county27s election commission has "hasn't met in years." Speaker 1 said obtaining the information citizens need "requires a subpoena" and asked officials to take election-related concerns "with serious consideration."
The commenter warned of a "big rush to hire someone" for election work and said any such hire should be vetted and given an opportunity to address concerns before being confirmed. "I see that there is a big rush to hire someone. I think that, that needs to be vetted," the commenter said. They also pressed for the election commission to meet on a regular basis, saying the commission "hasn't met in years."
Another public commenter, Speaker 2, addressed the question of statutory authority, referencing "HB 32 53" and saying the bill was on the general state calendar as of May 13 and "is not yet law." Speaker 2 added that, even if enacted, the legislation would not require the court to purchase vehicles for constables.
No formal motions or votes on subpoenas, hiring, or convening the election commission were recorded in the transcript. The remarks were offered during public comment and committee discussion; no staff report or formal action responding to the requests was included in the available record.
