Texas GOP Pushes to Abolish Harris County Elections Chief Position

The GOP-controlled Legislature in Texas has approved a bill that would abolish the position of Harris County elections administrator, which oversees more than 2 million voters around Houston, and return elections oversight to the tax assessor and county clerk, both of which are currently held by Democrats. The move comes after last year's elections in Harris County, which saw paper ballot shortages and delayed poll openings. Republicans have also advanced a separate plan that would allow the state to take greater control over elections in Harris County if there is a "pattern of problems."