In a recent development in Texas, a judicial election is set to be re-done due to illegal votes. It was decided that 1,751 votes cast in the state’s largest county were illegal or inaccurately counted. This ruling was made by a visiting judge and forms part of the substantial fallout from a flawed ballot count in Houston in November 2022.
The Judge, David Peeples, ordered the re-run of the 180th District Court race in Harris County, which was initially won by DaSean Jones (D), beating Tami Pierce (R). Citing that the true outcome of the race could not be determined due to the illegal votes, the judge also slapped Jones with $65,000 in attorney fees. This was for bringing a motion to dismiss under the Texas Anti-SLAPP statute—a motion the judge, followed by an appeal court, declared to be without merit and frivolous.
Houston’s largest county, Harris, has witnessed Republicans challenging the results in as many as 21 races. DaSean Jones, the declared winner in the race now up for a re-run, is also running for the Texas Supreme Court.
Such happening is a sobering reminder of the sanctity of the voting process and the complexities involved in maintaining its integrity. Any violation, intentional or not, can lead to a fundamental undermining of the democratic process.