A state district judge ordered nine Harris County polling locations to stay open one hour later following delayed openings and technical issues this morning.

The locations will be required to stay open until 8 p.m.

The emergency ruling came after a lawsuit filed today by the Texas Civil Rights Project, the Texas Organizing Project, and Maria Bernal.

“If the relief requested by Plaintiffs is not granted, Plaintiffs will suffer imminent and irreparable harm to their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and statutory rights under Sections 41.031 and 273.081 of the Texas Election Code,” read the ruling by Judge Fredericka Phillips.

The locations are as follows:

  • Iglesia Trinidad (Pct. 0597)
  • Metcalf Elementary (Pct. 0882)
  • Evelyn Thompson Elementary (Pct. 0061)
  • Hampton Inn Katy Freeway (Pct. 0055)
  • Fiesta Mart, Inc. on Kirby Dr. (Pct. 0541)
  • John Marshall Middle School (Pct. 0046)
  • Historic Oaks of Allen Parkway Village Community Building (Pct. 0030)
  • Lone Star College Cypress Center (Pcts. 305 & 951)
  • Houston Community College Alief Center (Pct. 0428)

The suit alleged that some of the locations not only failed to open at 7 a.m. but “remained closed well after 7 a.m.” Texas Election Code requires polling locations to be open for 12 hours on Election Day.

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan has confirmed that this will delay Election Night returns.

Charles Blain

Charles Blain is the president of Urban Reform and Urban Reform Institute. A native of New Jersey, he is based in Houston and writes on municipal finance and other urban issues.

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