Harris County officials push back after Gov. Greg Abbott calls for state takeover of elections

HOUSTON – Harris County officials are pushing back after Governor Greg Abbott suggested the state should take over elections in the county, calling Harris a “repeat violator of election integrity.”

On social media, Abbott said “Harris County is [a] repeat violator of election integrity,” adding, “they should be stripped of operating elections, and state officials should take over.”

Judge Lina Hidalgo called the governor’s claims politically motivated and based on unfounded voter fraud allegations.

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“It’s quite clear this is about continuing to politicize our elections,” Hidalgo told KPRC 2 News Rilwan Balogun. “Our former DA tried to prosecute voter fraud and didn’t find anyone who voted under inappropriate circumstances.”

The comments come as Harris County prepares for several major elections this year, including the midterms. County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth appeared before Commissioners Court this week, requesting that Houston Police officers be at all early voting and Election Day locations.

In a statement, Hudspeth explained the need for officers:

“The Texas Election Code requires law enforcement involvement in various aspects of election operations. Senate Bill 2216 requires all ballots and election equipment used during Early Voting to be securely stored. Officers are needed each day to unlock and lock these secure ballot storage areas at all vote centers.”

Hudspeth also emphasized that the County Clerk’s Office oversees election operations, while voter registration is managed separately by the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector. Since September 2023, the Clerk’s Office has conducted 12 elections in coordination with key stakeholders, including the Texas Secretary of State and both local political parties, Hudspeth said.

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Officers assigned during elections are part of the Harris County Election Security Task Force, which includes local and federal partners such as the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. The task force coordinates security measures to help ensure safe and transparent elections.

Hudspeth said the office will meet with the county budget team in the coming days to finalize costs and present them to Commissioners Court later this month.

“The County Clerk’s Office remains committed to conducting elections with transparency, accuracy, and integrity,” Hudspeth said. “We want voters to understand the distinct roles of election operations and voter registration.”

Statement from County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne on Threat of State Takeover of Harris County Elections:

“Harris County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne issued the following statement in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s call for a state takeover of Harris County elections and potential legal charges:

“Governor Abbott has no authority to seize control of Harris County elections or pursue charges against our election officials. My office works closely with Tax Assessor-Collector and voter registrar Annette Ramirez, and her office has done exactly what it was supposed to do under state law, as the Secretary of State’s office itself has acknowledged.

This is a baseless attack on local control and the democratic process. Harris County voters deserve better than political theater that undermines confidence in our elections."