In response to Ginny, my favorite election story was told by Noah Smithwick, and early Texas settler who left for California in 1861 when it chose to join the Confederacy.

He was struck by the fact that El Paso County had voted so  heavily for secession and asked about it as he passed through.  

In his own words:  "I asked an El Paso man how it was that such a large vote was polled in favor of the ratification of the secession ordinance in a county apparently so sparsely settled. "Oh, that was a light vote," rejoined he. "We could have polled twice that number if the river hadn't taken a rise."" (http://www.lsjunction.com/olbooks/smithwic/otd26.htm) 

The river, of course, was the Rio Grande and Smithwick's informant was referring to voters who lived in Mexico.

But, yet, that story is not quite as outrageous as it would appear.  Until well into the 20th Century non-citizens could vote in Texas and the long-time residents along the border moved back and forth at will.  They enjoyed, for all intents and purposes, dual citizenship.


Paul R. Scott, CA, CRM
Records Management Officer
Harris County, TX
713 368-0039

Under the Texas Public Information Act most written communications to or from public employees are considered to be public records and will be made available to the public and the media upon request.  This e-mail and any direct reply may be subject to public disclosure.

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