Harris County has dropped its lawsuit against the new state law that eliminated the "Elections Administrator" position in Texas's largest counties. The law, known as SB 1750, was enacted in 2023 after Harris County faced numerous challenges in administering its elections. The law removes the appointed Elections Administrator position and restores those powers to the elected Tax Assessor-Collector and County Clerk.
The lawsuit filed by Harris County aimed to prevent the implementation of SB 1750, arguing that it was an unconstitutional "local law." However, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) countered that the legislature had valid reasons for enacting the law. Harris County, being the most populous county in Texas, has a significant impact on elections statewide. The county's past difficulties with election administration further supported the need for a change.
Initially, a Travis County district judge ruled that SB 1750 violated the Texas Constitution. However, the OAG promptly appealed the decision to the Texas Supreme Court, resulting in a stay of the ruling. As a result, Harris County decided to abandon its lawsuit before the scheduled arguments on November 28.
Attorney General Paxton expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the integrity of elections. He stated, "Elections in our state must never be vulnerable to incompetent and unaccountable actors. Improperly administered elections undermine Texas voters' trust and confidence when they should be entitled to total reliability and transparency. I'm proud my team sprang into action to defend this important law when it was challenged."
The resolution of this lawsuit marks a victory for supporters of election integrity in Texas. The decision to eliminate the Elections Administrator position and entrust the responsibilities to elected officials aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the election process. With this outcome, Harris County can now move forward with implementing the changes brought about by SB 1750 and work towards conducting secure and efficient elections in the future.
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/harris-county-drops-lawsuit-after-attorney-general-paxton-vigorously-defends-crucial-election