From Gov. Greg Abbott’s Office:
Governor Greg Abbott today called for an investigation into the widespread problems with Harris County’s elections last Tuesday. Voters in Harris County were frustrated by confusion and delays including missing keys, insufficient paper ballots in Republican precincts, staffing problems, and more.
“I’m calling on the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Texas Rangers to initiate investigations into allegations of improprieties in the way that the 2022 elections were conducted in Harris County,” said Abbott. “The allegations of election improprieties in our state’s largest county may result from anything ranging from malfeasance to blatant criminal conduct. Voters in Harris County deserve to know what happened. Integrity in the election process is essential. To achieve that standard, a thorough investigation is warranted.”
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) agreed:
This is the worst election day ever by a major county election’s department that I’ve seen in my lifetime! Specific polls were apparently given too few ballots to begin with, and repeated requests by presiding judges and political party representatives, etc, were denied for over half a day. It’s abominable that government holds an election, but either couldn’t or wouldn’t provide voters with paper ballots to cast their votes!
Harris County elections have been plagued by issues for years. Issues in 2020 led to the resignation of former Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria. The current administrator, Clifford Tatum, was awarded the position in July of this year.
