Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is sounding off after an Election Day ballot paper shortage in the state's most populous county was shown to be far greater than believed.
Houston's KHOU-11 found that 121 voting centers in Harris County in the 2022 midterms did not initially have enough paper ballots to cover voter turnout. The county typically has between 550-750 vote centers, meaning roughly one-fifth were affected.
The Election Administration Office's initial post-election analysis estimated that ballot shortages occurred at 46 to 68 voting centers.
Abbott is sufficiently concerned by the news that he tweeted about the possibility of having new elections.
For many, the shortage at Harris County polling places is compounded by the reality that the county is the nation's third most populous. With 4.7 million people, it is home in whole or part to nine congressional districts, 24 state representatives and eight state senators.
It's also a swing county, compromising reliably blue Houston and numerous red suburbs.
How Harris County officials conduct elections matter more than any other jurisdiction in Texas and arguably more than anywhere else in the United States.
Abbott isn't alone in his frustration, as other residents and officials expressed to KHOU-11:
โHow does this happen? How do you run out of paper?โ voter Sharan Gaunia said on election day.
โI've never heard anything so basic as running of ballots,โ longtime election presiding judge Terry Wheeler said.
The Harris County Republican Party, which has a pending lawsuit against the Elections Administration Office, said it wasn't aware of the scope of the shortage.
โIt was worse than what we even knew,โย GOP Chair Cindy Siegelย said. โAnd there's no excuse in my mind.โ
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