Office of Lieutenant Governor of Texas

26/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 26/08/2024 14:30

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Secretary of State’s Election Audit Report of Harris County

August 26, 2024

AUSTIN - Lt. Governor Dan Patrick issued these comments following Secretary of State Jane Nelson's election audit report, revealing serious issues with Harris County elections in the 2021-2022 election cycle, and the Harris County Commissioners Court's attempt to bypass Senator Paul Bettencourt's, R-Houston, key election reforms (Senate Bill 1750 and Senate Bill 1933) in an upcoming meeting on Tuesday.

"Secretary Nelson's election audit report shows why SB 1750 was seriously needed. The new law removed the Harris County Elections Administration Office and replaced it with local elected officials. SB 1933 went further, providing the Secretary of State oversight of those involved in the elections process in Harris County. These laws were passed with bipartisan support in the Texas Legislature," said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.

"On Tuesday, the Harris County Commissioners Court is expected to vote on item 400, where the Office of County Administration will attempt to take the responsibility of voter registration away from the elected Voter Registrar to "increase voter registration." The elected Voter Registrar has already trained and deputized over 4,000 volunteer voter registrars. The Harris County Commissioners Court's attempt to circumvent the elected Voter Registrar by instead using a third-party vendor to mail thousands of unrequested voter registration applications will likely register non-citizens to vote. Allowing non-citizens to vote is an obvious violation of Texas law," said Senator Bettencourt.

"As I have mentioned several times, many key bills regarding voter integrity and elections passed the Texas Senate only to be killed in the Texas House under the leadership of Speaker Dade Phelan. Most never even received a hearing in committee. The Texas Senate passed 23 election-related bills that did not pass the House. These bills would have been a step toward restoring the public's confidence in fair and honest elections in the State of Texas. It's an absolute disgrace that Speaker Phelan killed these critical bills," said Lt. Governor Patrick.

The following list shows 23 critical Texas Senate election bills that died in the House.

Bill No. Author Caption
SB 2 Hughes, R-Tyler Relating to conduct constituting the criminal offense of illegal voting.
SB 220 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to the enforcement of laws relating to elections.
SB 221 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to requirements for certain petitions requesting an election and ballot propositions.
SB 260 Kolkhorst, R-Brenham Relating to confirmation of a voter's residence by a voter registrar.
SB 397 Hall, R-Edgewood Relating to the procedures for closing a polling place.
SB 747 Hughes, R-Tyler Relating to the withdrawal of a candidate in a runoff primary election.
SB 921 Hughes, R-Tyler Relating to the determination of a majority vote in certain elections.
SB 990 Hall, R-Edgewood Relating to elimination of the countywide polling place program.
SB 1039 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to processes to address election irregularities; providing a civil penalty.
SB 1044 Johnson, D-Dallas Relating to criminal offenses for the creation or distribution of certain misleading images and videos.
SB 1600 Hughes, R-Tyler Relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify eligibility to vote in Texas.
SB 1705 Middleton, R-Galveston Relating to nominations by primary election by certain political parties.
SB 1807 Springer, R-Muenster Relating to the unlawful altering of election procedures; providing a civil penalty.
SB 1907 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to preparing and delivering precinct election returns; increasing a criminal penalty.
SB 1909 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.
SB 1911 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to election supplies and the conduct of elections; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties.
SB 1938 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to the failure of a voter registrar to comply with voter registration laws.
SB 1950 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to accepting an early voting ballot voted by mail; creating a criminal offense.
SB 1993 Middleton, R-Galveston Relating to the authority of the secretary of state to order a new election in certain counties.
SB 2071 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to automatic recounts of certain elections.
SB 2208 Parker, R-Flower Mound Relating to the venue for the prosecution of an election offense.
SB 2433 Bettencourt, R-Houston Relating to certain election practices and procedures; increasing a criminal penalty; providing an administrative penalty.
SB 2451 Menendez, D-San Antonio Relating to personal information entered on the carrier envelope of a ballot to be voted by mail.