Protecting County Elections
Joyce LeBombard | Published on 2/20/2023
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2023
Contact Information:
Joyce LeBombard
President, League of Women Voters of Texas
512-585-4090
jlebombard@lwvtexas.org
Dr. Annie Johnson Benifield
President, League of Women Voters of Houston
anniebenifield@lwvhouston.org
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The League of Women Voters
Protecting County Elections
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AUSTIN, TX— The League of Women Voters of Texas issued the following joint statement with the League of Women Voters of Houston in response to calls to redo the 2022 Harris County elections and the legislative bills filed to allow the State to remove and replace local County Election Administrators:
“We believe that encouraging all eligible voters to participate in our elections and respecting the results should be the intention of all politicians. But unfortunately, that is not the case in Texas.
"In the November 2022 election, Harris County voters cast 1.1 million ballots to select candidates to represent them in elected office. Unfortunately, challenges to the election are still reverberating in our local community as an attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral system. In the months since the elections, nearly two dozen candidates who lost their races have refused to accept the results and are challenging the results in court. These candidates are asking that a judge throw out every vote cast in these races and either declare them the winner or force the county to have another election. This is a blatant disregard for the will of the voters.
“The League believes that politicians should not override the will of the people in Harris County. Governor Abbot and Lt. Governor Patrick comments suggesting the county should redo the election is disappointing and an affront on our democratic system of government.
"There are growing concerns in the voting rights community that the State will use these election challenges as an excuse to advance bills filed that would allow the Secretary of State to take over certain county elections where there may be a minimal finding of problems, and in particular in Harris County. Such legislation, if passed, is fraught for potential abuse, infringes on the rights of county governments to select their own elections administrator, and demeans the meaning of local governance.
“The Harris County voters have spoken in the 2022 election, and the election results have been certified. It is time for politicians to respect the election results and to work with County Election Administrators to have the resources they need to run effective, efficient, accessible, and fair elections.”
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About the League of Women Voters of Texas: The League of Women Voters is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. Formed in 1919, the Texas League represents more than 13,500 grassroots advocates and 34 local Leagues across the state. The League never supports or opposes candidates for office or political parties. The League encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League also seeks to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to people 16 years and older. Learn more about theLeague of Women Voters of Texas atLWVTexas.org.
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