As previously reported, Texas Governor Greg Abbott in November called for an investigation into “widespread problems” with Harris County elections during the midterms.
One Harris County race in particular raised eyebrows.
Corrupt Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo ‘won’ her reelection by nearly 16,000 votes against a popular Republican opponent.
Hidalgo’s top three staffers are under indictment and law enforcement booed her during a commissioners court meeting in October.
WATCH:
Republicans spent millions to unseat Lina Hidalgo but she still somehow won her reelection.
“I’m calling for an investigation into the widespread problems with the Harris County elections last Tuesday.” Abbott said in November.
“The allegations of election improprieties in our state’s largest county may result from anything ranging from malfeasance to blatant criminal conduct.” he added.
Republican voters in Harris County were disenfranchised on Election Day after they showed up to vote at 8 pm but were turned away from the polling station.
After being told they could vote until 8 pm, the voters were told the voting time cut off was actually 7 pm.
It turns out the paper ballot shortage on Election Day in Harris County was far worse than initially estimated so Greg Abbott said “it may necessitate new elections.”
According to KHOU 11, “121 voting centers did not initially receive enough ballot paper to cover voter turnout.”
The shortage of ballot paper at some Harris County voting centers on election day was more widespread than the Elections Administration Office estimated, according to a KHOU 11 analysis of equipment and voter turnout records.
The county’s post-election analysis on the extent of the shortage was “largely inconclusive.” After reviewing help desk logs and calling presiding and alternate election judges, the county estimated 46 to 68 voting centers ran out of their initial allotment of paper.
KHOU 11 Investigates compared ballot paper packets allocated to the total number of votes cast and discovered 121 voting centers did not initially receive enough ballot paper to cover voter turnout. The county allotted each of the locations six ballot paper packets, or enough for 600 ballots. But the total votes cast exceeded that amount, sometimes by hundreds of ballots. For example, 946 election day ballots were cast at the Bellaire Civic Center, 990 at Warner Elementary School, and 1,037 at Salyards Middle School.
The election day controversy left some voters and election judges furious.
“Harris Co. election ballot paper shortage far bigger than initially estimated,” Greg Abbott said. “It’s so big it may have altered the outcome of elections.”
“It may necessitate new elections,” Abbott said.
“It WILL necessitate new LAWS that prevent Harris Co. from ever doing this again.” he said.