Voter data discrepancies flagged in a preliminary 2022 audit are not uncommon in counties like Harris, experts say. But the errors could further confuse voters and raise suspicion if election officials don’t explain them

Heider Garcia will replace Michael Scarpello, who had led the elections department in Dallas since 2020.

How a Kerr County commissioner’s unfounded distrust of voting machines took “a wrecking ball to one of the finest election departments.”

The Republican-passed Senate Bill 1 added restrictions to voting that plaintiffs say disproportionately affect voters of color.

Officials previously could locate a single voting site to serve multiple small precincts. Now some counties will need to double their number of sites.

Small counties lack the money and people to work the several days of 12-hour shifts now required statewide, election officials say. 

Texas attorney general appealed the injunction, preventing the order from taking effect. Judge had found the law unconstitutional and said it would disrupt this November’s elections. 

Experts say this major change could disrupt the work and planning currently underway  to prepare for elections in November and 2024.

Bipartisan bills passed this session will give voters more time and opportunities to fix mistakes when they request and return ballots by mail.

The bipartisan legislation was long-sought by voters with disabilities, including some of the governor’s own allies.

The Election Commission unanimously appointed Clinton Ludwig to replace Heider Garcia. None of the three finalists had any election administration experience.

Karen Wiseman previously sued former election administrator Heider Garcia and participated in a right-wing group’s search for 2020 voter fraud.

Two bills with bipartisan support will deliver improvements that voters with disabilities have been seeking for years.

A bill Republicans shaped behind closed doors directs the state to investigate and supervise the county’s election administration, even targeting officials for removal.

The House and Senate reach a compromise on differing versions of HB 1243, agreeing to keep protection for ineligible voters who cast ballots by mistake.

Lawmakers unanimously vote to roll back the 2021 ban on reusable data storage after Votebeat’s report on its expensive, unrealistic mandate.

The Senate and House bills had differed on whether someone should be punished for voting by mistake. Now the two chambers must reach an agreement.

Harris County leaders say state’s new oversight laws would set a “dangerous precedent” and may challenge the effort in court.

Alan Vera was a mainstay at the Texas Capitol, frequently consulting on legislation. Two weeks ago, the House Elections Committee sang him “Happy Birthday.”

Law would force the county to move election duties under its clerk and tax assessor-collector, in reaction to what critics call a continued pattern of election problems.