oFF The recorD

tom Berg: Strengthening Our Democracy,

One Voter at a Time

By cinDy Dinh

Tom Berg, a criminal defense attorney, veteran of the In June 2020, Berg registered voters at the George Floyd U.S. Army Reserves, former public defender, and for- memorial service. Donning a mask and gloves, Berg made his mer Harris County First Assistant District Attorney rounds, standing six feet away from potential registrants. “It has found many pathways to public service. On this takes 25 seconds to register someone to vote,” Berg said. After occasion, he wields a pen and clipboard, ready to reg- handing over his clipboard for the registrant to fill out the register voters who minutes before istration card, Berg would review became naturalized U.S. Citi- the information to make sure it zens. For over a decade, Berg was complete, hand the person a has teamed up with the League receipt, and submit the registraof Women Voters of the Houston tion card to the county, fulfilling Area to register voters at monthly his duties as a volunteer deputy naturalization ceremonies. voter registrar.

Lawyers are particularly Berg hopes that changes to equipped for this role. “When election law will make it easier you’re facing 200 people in your to reach voters. “One thing you section who are eager to rush off can’t do in Texas is register to to receive their naturalization vote online,” Berg said. “I would certificates, you have to persuade like to see that changed, even if them that [registering to vote] tom Berg says voter registration is a non-partisan activity that allows it meant the outreach efforts in is something that they should registrars to rise above the political fray. person were reduced.” He also do today,” Berg said. Many of the presiding U.S. District Court recalled the historical connection between voter registration and judges also encourage the effort, waging a friendly competition the tax assessor’s office, which previously collected poll taxes, a over the percentage of new registrations each can accomplish. form of voter disenfranchisement. He is hopeful that the county

In 2008, Berg attended his first naturalization ceremony in will consider an independent commission to manage registraIraq, where he witnessed fellow soldiers receiving their U.S. tion and elections. citizenship. After retiring as a Colonel and military judge, Berg For the 2020 elections, Berg recommends people vote early, 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. “You don’t turn anyone down who is eligible to vote,” Berg said. Cindy Dinh is a litigation associate at Mayer Brown LLP. In 2017, “You’re helping someone participate in our democracy and be an she gave the keynote speech at a naturalization ceremony presided active citizen.” by the Honorable Gray H. Miller. Prior to law school, she worked in the Voter Outreach and Communications Department at the

Pre-COVID-19, Berg registered voters at naturalization cere- Harris County Clerk’s Office. monies, Veterans Affairs hospitals, churches, and high schools— reaching people wherever he could find them. But social distanc- endnotes ing has not stopped Berg from registering voters altogether. He 1. As of the date of printing, the Texas early voting period is October 13–30, 2020. See VOTETEXAS, www.votetexas.gov (last visited Aug. 18, 2020); Election Division, just has to take a more creative approach. HARRIS CNTY. CLERK’S OFFICE, www.harrisvotes.com (last visited Aug. 18, 2020).