SAN ANTONIO — As the state’s population grows, so does the number of eligible voters. And one of the state’s most populated counties, Bexar County, is outsourcing its voter outreach to get more people registered. 

What You Need To Know

  • During local elections, Bexar County Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez says we’re lucky to see 10% of registered voters hit the polls

  • Recently, the Commissioners Court voted in favor of contracting Civic Government Solutions (CGS) to engage unregistered voters

  • The company will be tasked with sending voter registration applications directly to residents with pre-stamped return envelops

  • CGS is already working with several local governments across Texas, including Harris and Travis counties. Bexar County could spend about $600,000 for this service

“We all represent about 500,000 constituents. Of course, Bexar County is about 2.1 million folks,” said Bexar County Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is a product of San Antonio’s Westside. Entering his sixth year as a Bexar County commissioner, he’s blown away by the growth of his hometown.

“For the last 18 months or so, about 60,000 new residents have come into Bexar County,” Rodriguez said.

Spending two decades in public service, the commissioner says he’s passionate about pushing voter access for all elections.

“The county is really responsible for not just operating efficient and effective elections, but also for voter registration activities,” Rodriguez said.

During local elections, Rodriguez says we’re lucky to see 10% of registered voters hit the polls.

“In a presidential election in Bexar County, you know 65, 70, 75% participation rate, opposed to much lower during a maybe a municipal election,” he said.

Recently, the Commissioners Court voted in favor of contracting Civic Government Solutions (CGS) to engage unregistered voters. The company will be tasked with sending voter registration applications directly to residents with pre-stamped return envelops. 

“I think bringing some innovation to the process to make voter registration simple for people,” Rodriguez said.

CGS is already working with several local governments across Texas, including Harris and Travis counties. Bexar County could spend about $600,000 for this service.

“Upwards of 250,000 people who are eligible to voter here in Bexar County who are unregistered, so any dent we can make in that is going to impact elections from the top of the ballot to the bottom,” said Rodriguez.

One Texas trial run achieved a registration rate over 12% for those who got applications in the mail. CGS said in a statement, “our service is more efficient than traditional voter registration drives because we specifically target unregistered individuals and know exactly where to reach them. Unlike traditional drives, which often rely on chance encounters.”

“Your vote is your voice,” Rodriguez said. “This is an opportunity to make sure you have that voice.”