Texas Primary Election: Election Day process is challenged by Harris County Republican Party

The Harris County Republican Party and the Harris County Electoral Commissioner’s Office accuse each other of improper election procedures and making last-minute changes.

At least one electoral judge, Republican William Harris, calls it “ridiculous.”

“Yes, I’m a Republican judge for Harris County, but at the same time, I’m an American citizen first,” Harris said.

Harris has worked for the county since 2005. He says it’s never been like this before.

“I’m an adult who can make my own decisions,” Harris said. “I don’t need the party to make decisions for me.”

According to officials, the issue is how the ballot papers are delivered so that they can be counted.

When polling stations officially close, one person will be designated to take all ballots and equipment back to Harris County’s central counting station.

With over 500 polling locations, the Harris County Elections Administrator wants to allow trained Harris County officials to bring ballots back.

According to a spokesman, 256 employees have signed up so far.

Harris County GOP leaders cite safety concerns and are urging judges to ignore the county’s plan to cast ballots itself.

“It gets us preparing personnel, preparing resources, and very bluntly, because the Republican judges are not following our program, it will delay the trial and reporting of the results well into Wednesday,” Elections Superintendent Isabel Longoria said. who resigned after a failed election in March.

A personnel consultancy is currently looking for her successor.

But 40 Republican-appointed judges, including Harris, have sided with the district and say his plan has worked before.

“We’ve verified each other, and the gear he’s taking is the ballot box in the black plastic booth that the voter sees on Election Day,” Harris said. “It’s zippered and has a seal with a serial number on it.

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