The Bandera County Republican Women met Thursday, Sept. 5, for their monthly meeting, where Bandera County Election Administrator Andrea Jankoski spoke about how to get certified to work the polls as an election worker, or a poll watcher, noting the vacant jobs and how to become deputy voter registrars.
She said that seven forms of federal identification can be used to register to vote.
Jankoski said that many people are angry and upset about rumors about election security. She suggested that the membership get involved directly by volunteering to work the polls.
Furthermore, she detailed how the public can go online and get trained through the Texas Secretary of State. The certification is good for two years.
Jankoski also spoke about how to get sample ballots so voters may do their research on the candidates. She also reminded the group that cell phones cannot be taken into the voting booth.
According to Jankoski, the county elections website is available to look up information and find out more information about the election.
BCRW Legislative/ Campaign Chairwoman Laura Briscoe also spoke on the Electoral College, one of the most misunderstood parts of the election process. She reminded the membership that 270 electoral votes are needed to declare a candidate the winner.
Briscoe also spoke about which states are not “winner take all” states – Nebraska, Maine, and New Hampshire. Briscoe explained the terms “faithless” and “faithful” in terms of electors.
The website, Texas Scorecard, was endorsed by Briscoe as a good source of information about right leaning issues. She also recommended the new documentary Red Power.
This documentary was released on August 27 and details the connections between China and the Texas Power grid.
Bandera County officials Republican Chairman Mark Miller and Elections Administrator Andrea Jankoski were recognized. Miller reminded the group that the Republican Party monthly meeting would take place on Thursday, September 12 at the Silver Sage Dining Hall. For a story about that meeting, see next week’s Bulletin.
The minutes from the August meeting were approved, and the finance report was approved by the membership.
Liz Garcia, the Scholarship Committee Chair, was introduced.
Vice President for Membership Melanie Burns spoke about the upcoming Spaghetti Dinner that would take place on Friday, Sept. 27, to raise money for the one-thousand- dollar scholarships given to two area high school seniors.
Tickets are still available for dinner for $10 each. Patrons can eat at the Silver Sage Center Dining Hall or take spaghetti plates to go.
Burns said she would deliver orders of five dinners or more to local business and government offices.
Vice President of Communications, Brenda Blake, announced that 20 new Facebook accounts were added to the BCRW list. The group now has 187 members.
President Brandi Conover spoke about the price increase for using the Silver Sage Dining Hall.
The new price will be $50 per meeting, up from $30. This would account for $600 of expense over the cost of the year.
Vice President Dede Skoglund mentioned that the Bandera Electric Coop Community Room was free to use.
The club could also meet at the Post 157 American Legion Hall or in church halls around town.
The club voted to look around town for other possible meeting locations.
Member Bernie Pearce announced that there would be a refreshments theme for every monthly meeting. She asked members to contact her for more information.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:20 p.m.
