Why Texas Needs This Transparency

& Election Integrity Initiative

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Texans believe in open government and fair elections. But today, many Texans struggle to get basic information from public agencies. Parents wait months for records about their children. Citizens face delays and confusing denials when asking how tax dollars are spent. Voters see elections handled differently depending on where they live, with little visibility into testing, audits, or safeguards.

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Even when laws exist, the system often feels closed, inconsistent, and impossible to navigate. That uncertainty creates frustration, suspicion, and a loss of trust in institutions that should serve the people.

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Texas can do better. Transparency and election integrity should be clear, consistent, and visible. This initiative rebuilds trust by modernizing how information and election documentation are tracked, documented, and shared, while respecting privacy, security, and the rule of law.

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The Problem We Must Solve

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Texas has strong transparency and election laws on paper, but in practice, enforcement and visibility are uneven.

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Public records requests are handled differently by different agencies. Some respond quickly. Others delay for weeks or months. Some deny records with little explanation. Texans often do not know whether delays are lawful, administrative, or avoidable.

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Elections face similar challenges. Texas has 254 counties, each responsible for administering elections. While many counties do an excellent job, documentation standards vary widely. Voters often cannot see consistent information about machine testing, chain of custody, or audit results. This does not mean elections are fraudulent, but it does mean confidence is fragile.

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When systems are inconsistent and difficult to verify, trust breaks down. That breakdown affects families, whistleblowers, voters, and taxpayers across Texas.

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The Texas Transparency

& Election Integrity Solution

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Texas can restore trust without expanding government power or rewriting existing law. The solution is not more bureaucracy. The solution is clear systems, consistent documentation, and public visibility.

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This initiative modernizes transparency and election documentation so Texans can see how the rules are applied, not just read them in statute books.

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The solution is built on four core pillars.

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A Unified Transparency System for Public Records

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Texas establishes a standardized system for tracking public records requests within participating agencies.

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Every request is logged.

Every response is time-stamped.

Every delay or denial is documented with a clear legal justification.

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This does not change what records are public. It changes how compliance is tracked and explained, so accountability becomes visible instead of optional.

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Clear Timelines and Justification for Records Decisions

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When records are delayed, redacted, or withheld, agencies must document why.

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Texans should not have to guess what happened to their request. Clear justification logs explain what law applies and where the request stands. This protects citizens and public servants by reducing confusion and disputes.

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Transparent Election Documentation

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This initiative standardizes how election testing, audits, and chain of custody records are documented and shared where permitted by law.

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Counties continue to run elections. This plan does not take over local control. It ensures that documentation is consistent enough for Texans to understand and verify that safeguards are being applied fairly statewide.

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Confidence grows when voters can see the process.

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Oversight Through Visibility, Not Power Grabs

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Instead of creating new enforcement powers, this initiative improves oversight by making patterns visible.

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A review panel examines trends, recurring problems, and systemic gaps, then refers issues to existing authorities when necessary. Courts, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State keep their roles. This initiative strengthens them by improving information flow, not by bypassing them.

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How the System Works

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The Texas Transparency & Election Integrity Initiative is built on a simple idea:

If the rules are real, Texans should be able to see them applied consistently.

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The system works through four connected components.

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1. Public Records Tracking and Dashboards

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Participating agencies use standardized tracking tools that record request timelines and outcomes. A public dashboard shows non-confidential performance data so Texans can see how agencies are doing without exposing private information.

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2. Justification Logs and Appeal Guidance

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When records are withheld, the legal reason is logged and communicated clearly. Citizens receive simple guidance on their existing appeal options instead of being left in the dark.

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3. Election Documentation Standards

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Election testing, audits, and chain of custody records follow consistent documentation formats. Public access is provided where lawful, and sensitive security information remains protected.

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4. Phased Expansion Across Texas

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The system begins with state agencies and expands through legislative partnership and voluntary participation by counties and local governments. This ensures lawful rollout and long-term stability.

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Deployment Plan

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The initiative rolls out in phases to ensure smooth adoption.

Phase 1: State agencies integrate transparency systems and dashboards
Phase 2: Counties and election offices join through legislation or voluntary adoption
Phase 3: School districts and local governments participate
Phase 4: Statewide visibility into transparency and election documentation
Phase 5: Long-term oversight, refinement, and stability

This phased approach respects local governance while building consistency statewide.

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Funding and Stability

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This initiative is designed to modernize systems, not expand government spending.

It prioritizes:

• Existing modernization resources

• Shared infrastructure

• Reduced litigation and administrative waste

• Legislative funding only where expansion is proven effective

No new taxes are required.

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Benefits for Texans

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Clearer access to public records
More confidence in elections
Less confusion and delay
Stronger accountability without power grabs
Lower long-term costs
Restored trust in government

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Closing Message

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Transparency and election integrity are not partisan issues. They are Texas values.

This initiative does not assume wrongdoing. It assumes systems matter. When systems are clear, consistent, and visible, trust follows naturally.

Texas can lead by showing that open government and secure elections are not competing goals. They are partners.

A transparent Texas is a stronger Texas.