PEC board rescinds voter history amendment

by Alexandria Randolph

Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors recently rescinded an amendment that made voter history available to board candidates, but some directors would like to see the issue revisited.

In a meeting Oct. 20, the board voted in favor of rescinding an amendment that would notate on a master list of members whether the member voted in last year’s election – but not which candidate they voted for or what method they used to vote. The rescinding vote passed with five approvals and two abstentions. The amendment to election policies and procedures was first passed on Sept. 15, 4-3.

James Oakley, one of the directors that initially approved of the amendment, said the notation of active voters would be more cost-effective for candidates. Oakley said since a change to policy in 2011, viable candidates can obtain mailing addresses for co-op members.

“We have 226,000 members,” he said. “If a candidate wants to send a postcard out, they have to send it to all of them.”

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.