Re: Request for Public Information Relating to Applications for Ballots by Mail

Ali S. Zaidi

Collier Committee

P.O. Box 14648, 

Humble, TX 77347

February 21, 2022

Secretary John B. Scott

Office of the Texas Secretary of State

P.O. Box 12060

Austin, Texas 78711-2060

Phone: 512.463.5650

Fax: 512.475.2811

Re: Request for Public Information Relating to Applications for Ballots by Mail

Dear Secretary Scott,

The Office of the Secretary of State (“You,” “Your Office”) has provided conflicting directives regarding applications for ballots by mail (“ABBM”) and the actions taken by Your Office may significantly impact Texas voters. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (the “Act”), I write to request all public information related to ABBM in custody of Your office between September 1, 2021 and February 18, 2022.

Unless otherwise stated, the terms used in this request (the “Request”) shall be defined in accordance with 5 T.G.C. § 552.002. Therefore, public information in connection with this Request may include, but is not limited to: 

  • All records, compilations, or tracking systems which contain total numbers of ABBM received by Your Office, total numbers forwarded by Your Office to Local Election Clerks, and/or the total numbers of ABBM rejected by Your Office.
  • Communications in electronic or written form that track, record, or log temporary custody of ABBM by Your Office.
  • Communications in electronic or written form between employees or agents of Your Office containing “Dan Patrick,” “Darrell Davila,” “Allen Blakemore,” “ABBM,” and any other phrase indicating methods, policies or procedures for voting by mail or vote by mail applications. 
  • Communications in electronic or written form between employees or agents of Your Office which mention any changes, manipulation, removal or other alteration of publicly available guidance regarding ABBM.

Given the statutory deadline of 10 business days in which to fulfill the Request, we welcome the electronic provision of responsive documents via email attachment, thumb drive or CD-ROM. Because disclosure of this information is in the public interest, we also respectfully request a waiver of all fees and charges pursuant to § 552.267 of the Act. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ali S. Zaidi

Campaign Manager

Collier Committee