OFF THE RECORD
Tom Berg:
Strengthening Our Democracy, One Voter at a Time
T
The Houston Lawyer
By Cindy Dinh
In June 2020, Berg registered voters at the George Floyd om Berg, a criminal defense attorney, veteran of the memorial service. Donning a mask and gloves, Berg made his U.S. Army Reserves, former public defender, and forrounds, standing six feet away from potential registrants. “It mer Harris County First Assistant District Attorney takes 25 seconds to register someone to vote,” Berg said. After has found many pathways to public service. On this handing over his clipboard for the registrant to fill out the regoccasion, he wields a pen and clipboard, ready to registration card, Berg would review ister voters who minutes before the information to make sure it became naturalized U.S. Citiwas complete, hand the person a zens. For over a decade, Berg receipt, and submit the registrahas teamed up with the League tion card to the county, fulfilling of Women Voters of the Houston his duties as a volunteer deputy Area to register voters at monthly voter registrar. naturalization ceremonies. Berg hopes that changes to Lawyers are particularly election law will make it easier equipped for this role. “When to reach voters. “One thing you you’re facing 200 people in your can’t do in Texas is register to section who are eager to rush off vote online,” Berg said. “I would to receive their naturalization like to see that changed, even if certificates, you have to persuade them that [registering to vote] Tom Berg says voter registration is a non-partisan activity that allows it meant the outreach efforts in person were reduced.” He also is something that they should registrars to rise above the political fray. recalled the historical connection between voter registration and do today,” Berg said. Many of the presiding U.S. District Court the tax assessor’s office, which previously collected poll taxes, a judges also encourage the effort, waging a friendly competition form of voter disenfranchisement. He is hopeful that the county over the percentage of new registrations each can accomplish. will consider an independent commission to manage registraIn 2008, Berg attended his first naturalization ceremony in tion and elections. Iraq, where he witnessed fellow soldiers receiving their U.S. For the 2020 elections, Berg recommends people vote early, citizenship. After retiring as a Colonel and military judge, Berg returned to Houston and was a one-time judicial candidate. He noting that Harris County facilitates drive-through voting at realized that in order to get votes, he would first need to ensure certain locations. “You’re at greater risk at the grocery store that people were registered to vote. [than when voting],” Berg said. “It’s a nominal risk, but it’s According to Berg, registering people to vote is a non-partisan worth it.” activity that allows the registrar to rise above the political fray. Cindy Dinh is a litigation associate at Mayer Brown LLP. In 2017, “You don’t turn anyone down who is eligible to vote,” Berg said. she gave the keynote speech at a naturalization ceremony presided “You’re helping someone participate in our democracy and be an by the Honorable Gray H. Miller. Prior to law school, she worked active citizen.” in the Voter Outreach and Communications Department at the Pre-COVID-19, Berg registered voters at naturalization cereHarris County Clerk’s Office. monies, Veterans Affairs hospitals, churches, and high schools— reaching people wherever he could find them. But social distancEndnotes 1. As of the date of printing, the Texas early voting period is October 13–30, 2020. See ing has not stopped Berg from registering voters altogether. He VOTETEXAS, www.votetexas.gov (last visited Aug. 18, 2020); Election Division, HARRIS CNTY. CLERK’S OFFICE, www.harrisvotes.com (last visited Aug. 18, 2020). just has to take a more creative approach.
40
September/October 2020
thehoustonlawyer.com
