Texas Tribune by Natalia Contreras 5/23/2023
Texas Republican lawmakers aim to remake Harris County elections with new state oversight
The author of the bills said problems in Harris County prompted the proposals, which are set to get a final vote in the House on Tuesday.
The Texas House of Representatives gave preliminary approval late Monday to a pair of bills aimed at increasing state authority over elections in Harris County.
Senate Bill 1750, which is set to eliminate the Harris County elections administrator position — a nonpartisan position appointed by local elected officials — and return all election duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector, is expected to have a final vote today by the full House and go to the governor’s desk.
And Senate Bill 1933 — which was amended on the House floor Monday to impact only Harris County — gives the Texas secretary of state oversight of local elections, the authority to investigate election “irregularities” after complaints are filed and the authority to order the removal of a county election official if “a recurring pattern of problems” isn’t resolved. A final vote in the House is expected Tuesday. However, the changes made Monday must be approved by the state Senate before the bill can become law.
More:
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/23/texas-legislature-harris-county-elections/
