How to Submit an Election PIA
Many people have inquired about how they can help regarding PIA, here are the instructions:
Name Address Address Re: Texas Freedom of Information Act Request (the “Act”) November 3, 2020 Election, Harris County, Texas
Dear ______________: Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, TEX. GOV’T CODE §522.001 et seq., I am requesting electronic copies on a USB drive in a file format of CSV, XLS or XLSX containing information, in whole or in part, regarding the Ballot Request invitation letter, Ballot Applications, Ballots sent out, and Ballot-by-Mail (Absentee) ballots returned and received by Harris County for the November 3, 2020 General Election. I am requesting any and all related ballot-by-mail information for the November 3, 2020 General Election.
1. The following applies to the Ballot Request Invitation letters mailed:
● Total number of letters mailed to all Harris County precincts and voters
● Direct mailing list of letters mailed out with all pertinent contact info (including Full Names, Sex, Birthdate, address info, registration status)
● Dates of all letters mailed with physical addresses in all Harris County precincts
● Mailing list to include both physical addresses such as prisons, P.O. Boxes and APOs as well as all other addresses used.
2. The following applies to all Ballot Applications:
● Direct mailing list of all Ballot Applications mailed to individuals in all of Harris County precincts (including Full Names, Sex, Birthdate, address info, registration status)
● Dates for each individual Ballot Application mailed.
3. The following applies to Ballot-by-Mail, also known as Absentee, ballots mailed out for the November 3, 2020 General Election.
● Mailing list of all Absentee ballots mailed out in response to ballot application (including Full Names, Sex, Birthdate, address info, registration status);
● Date each individual Absentee ballot was printed; and
● Reasons for each ballot requested. 65 years of age or older Disability Absent from County Confined in jail Other
4. With regard to the reason described: Absent from county:
● Number of ballots mailed to an outside county and/or state;
● Names of counties state ballots were mailed; and
● Mailing list with names and addresses of those who gave “Absent from County” as a reason (including Full Names, Sex, Birthdate, address info, registration status).
5. With regard to the reason: Confined in jail:
● Number of absentee ballots mailed in advance of the November 3, 2020 to those confined in jail; and
● Mailing list to include names and addresses of prisons, names of who requested absentee ballots, and the requestors’ prison ID numbers.
6. Please provide a list of all addresses to which ballots were mailed that are different from the residence addresses listed on the Ballot Application. Include the number of ballots mailed to:
● Hospital;
● Nursing home or long-term care facility; and
● Retirement center.
7. Please provide a list of all individuals to include names and addresses, both mailing and physical, who requested an Annual Application for Ballot by Mail (ABMB). In addition, provide a list of all ABMB ballots sent out to include names and addresses, both mailing and physical 8. For all ballots received through ABMB and standard Ballot by Mail (Absentee), please include dates and times of each ballot received to include:
● Residential mail-in;
● In-person drop-off; and
● Common or contract carrier, such as personal courier, FedEx, UPS. If a common or contract carrier was used, please name the courier.
9. Please provide a list to include names, addresses and receipt day and time of all postmarked Absentee ballots received after 5:00 p.m. on November 4, 2020.
10. Please provide a list to include names, addresses and receipt day and time of all nonpostmarked Absentee ballots received after 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020.
11. Please provide a list to include names, addresses and receipt day and time of all Absentee ballots from Harris County citizens living abroad that were received after November 7, 2020.
12. Please provide a table with definitions of all codes used in any fields on CSV, XLS or XLSX files. Under the Act, you must promptly produce the requested records within ten (10) business days of receipt of the request unless you have sought the opinion of the Attorney General. If you expect a delay to the request, please contact me with your reasons and the expected length of the delay. If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you believe justifies the refusal of release, or redaction of, the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Sincerely, [Your Name]