In a settlement with plaintiffs in a voting rights lawsuit, Waller District Attorney Oliver Kitzman apologized Tuesday for what he referred to as a misinterpretation of his words.
Kitzman sent a letter on Nov. 5 to the Waller County election administrator where he questioned the legality of allowing students from Prairie View A&M University to vote, claiming that many were not permanent residents of Waller County.
"He specifically referenced that that those students were going to be a special target, and that can be intimidating for students who want to vote," said Debbie Liu, senior staff attorney with People For the American Way.
The letter expressed Kitzman's intention to locate the students who did not meet his definition of residence, Liu said.
Kitzman denied he was attempting to intimidate students with the letter, though he said he understands that some might have felt he was.
"In no way did he intend his words or views to become anything other than a dialogue about what 'domicile' really meant," said George Parnham, Kitzman's attorney.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion on Feb. 5 disagreeing with Kitzman's original statement.
Part of the suit's settlement prohibits election officials from conducting voting investigations based on a person's previous or present residence, current or prospective employment, enrollment at a university or ownership of property.
"When you vote, you don't have to prove that you are going to live here or if you have a job. You can't prosecute anyone on those facts," Liu said.
Kitzman also announced the creation of a Waller County Criminal Justice intern position open to one PVAMU student every semester and a PVAMU liaison who will meet with the district attorney each month to discuss any issues that may affect students.
"I'm not personally satisfied, but it's not about me. It's about the students," said Khamal Lakey, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Region 6 youth and college field director. "They were wronged in this issue, and as long as they feel his apologies were sincere and all-feeling, I can accept his apologies."
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