Kamin said the move was a necessary measure that would allow her office to take prompt action should federal or state leaders seek to curtail local control of elections. Otherwise, she said the county attorney\u2019s office would be forced to wait days or weeks for the next court meeting to get approval from commissioners \u2014 time that could be spent taking immediate action.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past few years, we have astonishingly watched attempts to overturn legitimate election results, undermine confidence in our democratic process and keep eligible voters from casting ballots,\u201d Kamin said. \u201cThey’re happening without notice and require the ability to rapidly respond.\u201d<\/p>\n
The decision came two days after the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to all 50 states warning them that local elections administrators could face prosecution should they allow residents in the country illegally to vote.\u00a0Kamin said the letters were just the latest in the Trump administration\u2019s ongoing efforts to shake public faith in elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Commissioner Tom Ramsey, the court\u2019s lone Republican, was the only member to vote against Kamin\u2019s proposal. Ramsey said the item was overly broad and delegated too much authority to the county\u2019s top civil litigator, who typically must seek approval from commissioners before pursuing any litigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ramsey also suggested the move was politically motivated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is all partisan,\u201d the Precinct 3 commissioner said. \u201cI think those of you who are on the ballot, this would be a good way to generate a little campaign interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ramsey opposed her appointment, saying commissioners were effectively putting their thumbs on the scale of the November election by appointing the Democratic nominee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kamin assured commissioners that she was not planning to go on the offensive and that the item was simply a precautionary measure intended to grant her office the flexibility to respond to any efforts to interfere with Harris County’s voting process, should they arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n