VOTEXAS Fall Tour Campaign Under Way

Yesterday Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, and University of Texas Baseball Coach Augie Garrido, teamed up to inform Texans on important reforms in the electoral system. The pair was joined by Austin Mayor Will Wynn and State Representative Mark Strama to launch the fall tour of the VOTEXAS program at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

"As Texans we are proud of our legacy of promoting equal access to the voting booth," said Williams. "As the State's chief election officer, I am committed to ensuring that all Texans have the opportunity to make their voice heard. That is why I am so proud of our voter education project, VOTEXAS."

VOTEXAS, introduced in January 2006, is a year-long, public education initiative focused on educating eligible voters about the voting process. The program encourages voters to find out when they will vote, where they will vote and how to use the new equipment in their precincts. VOTEXAS will reach out through television, radio, an interactive Web site and community events to inform Texans on the rights, responsibilities and importance of voting.

Yesterday's event highlighted the many VOTEXAS educational tools available to voters, from an enhanced, more interactive Web site to the traveling mobile exhibit, which features the five different types of electronic voting machines used in Texas. Secretary Williams unveiled the Web site's new "virtual vote" feature which gives all site visitors the opportunity to cast a practice ballot.

VOTEXAS.org also offers an e-mail list for subscribers to receive alerts and notifications of election deadlines for Texans needing an extra reminder to get them to the polls on time.

"As a baseball coach it's important to teach the fundamentals of the game. VOTEXAS informs Texans on the fundamentals of voting and how reforms are improving our democracy," said Garrido.

In many counties across the Lone Star State, punch cards and optical scan voting systems are being replaced with innovative, electronic voting systems. The change comes as Texas implements the federal Help America Vote Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush.

In the time leading up to the November 7, 2006 election, Secretary Williams and the VOTEXAS mobile exhibit will travel throughout the state to promote voter awareness, answer questions about the new electronic systems and encourage Texans to educate themselves about voting in Texas.