Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday that a special election to fill the seat of the late Democratic U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner will be held in November, defending the timing by criticizing past elections in the Houston area.
Abbott confirmed that the election will take place on November 4, following accusations from Democrats that the governor is delaying the process to help Republicans maintain their slim majority in the U.S. House. As the sole authority on calling special elections, Abbott has faced scrutiny over the timing of his decision.
The governor justified the delay, stating that it would allow Harris County ample time to prepare for the important election.
Harris County, home to Houston, has faced criticism in recent years due to issues such as long lines, shortages of poll workers and ballots, and uncounted ballots on election day. “Safe and secure elections are essential to the foundation of our state,” Abbott said in a statement. “Rushing this special election with little notice would be detrimental to voters’ interests.”
Harris County, with a population of 5 million, is the most populous county in Texas and the third-largest in the United States, with a diverse population that is predominantly Latino and Black.
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