Tatum: 'We have prepared for this election'

With about two weeks before next month’s races, Harris County election officials have assured the State of Texas that they have a plan to prevent a repeat of issues that occurred in the 2020 general election, Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported.

According to KPRC, the Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office in Austin flagged Harris County for an elections audit, which revealed that the number of ballots cast two years ago isn’t the same as the number of voters.

The station reported that Clifford Tatum, the county’s elections administrator, wrote the state to say the county reviewed the allegations outlined in the audit and took steps to avoid the same mistakes come Election Day.

Tatum explained that the Harris County’s Election Administrator’s Office eliminated the use of the legacy voting system and drive-thru voting, adding all votes are now on ballot paper with the availability of an electronic vote record should it be necessary.

“We have prepared for this election in compliance with the Election Code and implemented several best practices while being careful not to make drastic changes that will negatively impact our voters’ experience and confidence in the elections process,” Tatum said in the letter dated Oct. 24, KPRC reported.

Tatum took on the role of elections administrator after Isabel Longoria, the inaugural officeholder, resigned amid the fallout of Harris County’s handling of ballots in last March’s Texas party primaries.

Longoria, who was appointed to the position by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo before the 2020 elections, announced her resignation in the spring and officially vacated the office on July 1, Houston Daily reported in August.

Citing KPRC, the publication reported that Tatum has nearly 20 years of election experience.

Early voting has been in effect since Monday – and according to Houston Public Media (HPM) – more than 60,000 registered voters cast their ballots in person on the first day.

HPM reported that at least 20,000 mail ballots had been received.

A spokesperson for the county’s election office told HPM that it fielded complaints about longer lines at more popular locations to vote. Registered voters can cast their ballots at any polling location within the county.

The early voting period lasts through Nov. 4, the last Friday before Election Day.