Rep. Toth Backs Investigation of Harris County Elections, Refiles Election Audit Bill

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Today, Representative Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) voiced his support for Governor Abbott's call for an investigation into Harris County Elections Administration. The Governor requested the Attorney General and the Texas Rangers examine the allegations of impropriety.

Toth's announcement comes in response to hundreds of complaints lodged by elected judges and voters, including the Governor's own statement that read: “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.”

23 polling locations ran out of paper for ballots, and all of these locations were in Republican strongholds, such as Kingwood. The Harris County Republican Party has filed a 20-page lawsuit over Harris County Elections Administration's failure to supply enough ballot paper to voting locations on Election Day. Even the Elections Administration's reconciliation form lists thousands more ballots cast than voters.

'I'm outraged,' said Rep. Toth. 'Harris County is blatantly flaunting the law with their apathy towards open elections. You would think the Harris County Democrats would have learned from the elections debacle they presided over during the primary. Not even. Clearly Harris County's leaders have failed their citizens. That's why I've filed HB 589 to create an audit process for our elections and restore trust in our electoral system.'

HB 589 creates a forensic audit system to get to the bottom of election discrepancies. Last year, Senator Paul Bettencourt's companion to this audit bill passed through the Senate.
Steve Toth is a small business owner representing South Montgomery County in the Texas House of Representatives. Toth's voting record has been ranked the #1 most conservative in the Texas House by Young Conservatives of Texas, and #3 by a Rice University Study. Representative Toth has been a contributor on AFR, KTRH, ABC, CNN, Newsmax, OAN, and Fox News.