Texas’s Democratic Harris County Files Lawsuit Against State For Eliminating Local Elections Position

Texas’ Harris County, home to Houston, has filed a lawsuit against state officials, challenging the constitutionality of a law that will eliminate the position of local elections administrator.

Under the new law, SB 1750, the Harris County elections administrator’s duties will be transferred to the county tax-assessor collector and county clerk, both of which are currently held by Democrats.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said that his team is seeking to block the law from going into effect on September 1.

“Harris County is one of the most diverse counties in the state,” said Menefee in a statement. “We can’t and won’t allow legislators in Austin to target us to disrupt our elections and undermine our local officials. If people out there want to ignore the Constitution and allow far-right lawmakers to go after us in this way, Harris County residents deserve to know. We’ll see what the courts say.”

Texas Republicans are currently trying to target the election processes in Harris County, a Democratic area. Another law that they are trying to pass would authorize the Texas secretary of state to “order administrative oversight” of a county elections office in the event that a complaint is filed about election administration or voter oversight.

President Joe Biden won Harris County in 2020, and Republicans are looking to exercise control over the country ahead of the 2024 election. Democrats have accused conservatives of plotting a “power grab,” a narrative that liberal candidates will undoubtedly use as the election ramps up.

“The Texas Constitution prohibits the Legislature from passing laws that apply to only one county and can never apply to other counties,” Menefee continued. “That’s exactly what Senate Bill 1750 is because it abolishes the elections administrator office in only Harris County.”

Article by Ava Lombardi