Current:Home > FinanceVoting company makes ‘coercive’ demand of Texas counties: Pay up or lose service before election-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Voting company makes ‘coercive’ demand of Texas counties: Pay up or lose service before election
View Date:2024-12-23 10:26:21
A voting company owner on Friday acknowledged making a “coercive” demand of 32 Texas counties: Pay an additional surcharge for the software that runs their voting registration system, or lose it just before November’s elections.
John Medcalf of San Diego-based VOTEC said he had to request the counties pay a 35% surcharge because several agencies in multiple states, including some of the Texas counties, have been late to pay in the past and his company had trouble meeting payroll.
He characterized the charges as a cry for help to get enough money to avoid losing key employees just before November.
“It is coercive, and I regret that,” Medcalf said. “We’ve been able to get by 44 of 45 years without doing that.”
The surcharges have sent Texas’ largest counties scrambling to approve payments or look at other ways they can avoid losing the software at a critical time.
Medcalf said that VOTEC would continue to honor counties’ contracts for the remainder of their terms, which run past Texas’ May primary runoffs, but that most expire shortly before November.
“It’s either pay now and dislike it or pay with election difficulty,” Medcalf said, adding that he didn’t expect any contracts to actually be canceled.
The bills are for 35% of two major line items in the existing contracts, Medcalf said.
Texas’ Secretary of State’s office said Thursday that it was consulting with counties about their options.
The biggest county in Texas, Harris, has already said it will pay its surcharge of about $120,000 because the system is so crucial.
veryGood! (915)
Related
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Minority-owned business agency discriminated against white people, federal judge says
- Workers expressed concern over bowed beams, structural issues before Idaho hangar collapse killed 3
- 3 sizzling hot ETFs that will keep igniting the market
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- California’s closely watched House primaries offer preview of battle to control Congress
- Virginia judge sets aside guilty verdict against former school superintendent
- Kentucky GOP lawmakers override governor and undo efforts to prevent renter discrimination
- Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
- Evidence of traumatic brain injury in shooter who killed 18 in deadliest shooting in Maine history
Ranking
- Trading wands for whisks, new Harry Potter cooking show brings mess and magic
- Missouri governor offers ‘deepest sympathy’ after reducing former Chiefs assistant’s DWI sentence
- Medical examiner says two Wisconsin inmates died of fentanyl overdose, stroke
- 'The enduring magic of storytime': Ms. Rachel announces new book launching with toy line
- Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
- Photos of male humpback whales copulating gives scientists peek into species' private sex life
- Kid Cudi announces INSANO World Tour: Here's how to get tickets
- Steve Garvey advances in California senate primary: What to know about the former MLB MVP
Recommendation
-
Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
-
TJ Maxx's Designer Bag Deals Are Fashion's Best-Kept Secret For Scoring Luxury Bags for Less
-
White House, Justice Department unveil new plan to protect personal data from China and Russia
-
Kid Cudi announces INSANO World Tour: Here's how to get tickets
-
Social media star squirrel euthanized after being taken from home tests negative for rabies
-
Save $130 on a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and Elevate Your Cooking Game
-
New York is sending the National Guard into NYC subways to help fight crime
-
Mississippi House votes to change school funding formula, but plan faces hurdles in the Senate