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Recent investigations by the Texas Rangers and the Harris County District Attorney’s office have concluded that there was no evidence of attempts to influence the outcome of Harris County’s November 2022 election. This announcement comes amidst criticism from top Republican officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, regarding irregularities in how the election was conducted.
The election in question was marred by several issues, such as paper ballot shortages, malfunctioning equipment, and delayed openings at polling locations, leading to longer wait times for voters. These irregularities prompted over 20 local Republican candidates to contest the results and the Texas Legislature to intervene by forcing the dissolution of the county’s elections administration office.
While a criminal probe was initiated to investigate possible voter suppression or election interference, no evidence supporting these claims was found. The investigation revealed that the paper ballot shortages were not part of any deliberate effort to influence the election outcome.
The investigation did, however, result in criminal charges against a former data analyst, Darryl Blackburn, for tampering with government documents and theft related to the election irregularities. Despite the charges, investigators found no evidence of intentional manipulation of the election results.
Prosecutors emphasized the far-reaching consequences of Blackburn’s actions, stating that beyond financial theft, his actions deprived individuals of their constitutional right to vote and eroded public trust in the election process. Blackburn’s attorney dismissed the charges as an abuse of power, emphasizing that the case revolves around timesheets, not election fraud.
The fallout from the 2022 election continues, with several losing Republican candidates challenging the results. A judge recently ordered a new election in a closely contested judicial race, citing issues with voter residency, identification, and mail-in ballots.
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