Dan Simons, Sean Teare, and Senator Paul Bettencourt Must Monitor the Mail Ballot Returns for the May 28, 2024, Runoffs
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
In the spirit of concern for our Democracy, I’m sounding the alarms regarding the ungodly number of “ABSENTEE MAIL BALLOTS” flowing into the Harris County Clerk’s Office. The upcoming low-voter turnout “DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRIMARY RUNOFF” and “REPUBLICAN PARTY PRIMARY RUNOFF” include mostly African American candidates.
What concerns me the most is that a combined total of 9,612 absentee mail ballots have already been received by the Harris County Clerk’s Office (Friday, April 19, 2024, through Monday, May 6, 2024). There are still (13) thirteen days left between today and the start of early voting – which is Monday, May 20, 2024, in the State of Texas.
Remember there are only (2) two Republican runoff races taking place and only (7) seven Democratic runoff races taking place in Harris County, Texas, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
The BBM returns have already surpassed the total amount received on the first day of early voting for “SUPER TUESDAY” when there were (20) twenty key contested races on the Harris County Republican Party Primary ballot and (50) fifty contested races on the Harris County Democratic Party Primary ballot.
Back on the first day of early voting for “SUPER TUESDAY,” according to the Harris County Clerk’s Office, 6,218 absentee mail ballots were recorded countywide for both major political parties. 
“THE BALLOT FLOW.”
Only 3,769 absentee mail ballots were reported countywide by the Harris County Clerk’s Office on Monday, February 20, 2024, for the Harris County Democratic Party Primary. However, for the upcoming Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Democratic Party Primary runoffs, the Harris County Clerk's Office received a total of 9,083 absentee mail ballots (Friday, April 19, 2024, through Monday, May 6, 2024)— which makes absolutely no sense.
If you look at the Republican “ABSENTEE MAIL BALLOT RETURNS,” their ballot totals make much more sense from an analytical perspective. Between Monday, April 22, 2024, and Monday, May 6, 2024, the Harris County Clerk’s Office has only received a combined total of 529 absentee mail ballots from voters who live inside the boundaries of the 7th Congressional District of Texas and the 29th Congressional District of Texas.
On Monday, February 20, 2024, the first day of early voting for “SUPER TUESDAY,” the Harris County Clerk reportedly received 2,449 absentee mail ballots from Republican Party Primary voters across the county.
“NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY.”
Harris County voters must endeavor to elect a new District Attorney who is serious about protecting citizens, restoring law and order, and prosecuting those who violate election laws.
Fair and free elections are the bedrock of our Democracy. That said, if Dan Simons, the Republican nominee, wins the Harris County District Attorney race, we must hold him accountable.
On the other hand, if Sean Teare, the Democrat nominee, wins the upcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, he must also be held accountable.
“SENATOR BETTENCOURT.”
Ultimately, it may take someone with the intestinal fortitude of state Senator Paul Bettencourt or Secretary of State Jane Nelson to address the issue of all these mail ballots floating around Harris County, Texas – if they continue to flow at the rate they’re flowing right now.
Remember Texas Senate Bill 1933, which state Senator Bettencourt sponsored during the last legislative session? If not, (SB-1933) is related to specific oversight procedures of the state over county elections.
Most folks don’t even realize that (SB-1933) impacts any Texas county with a population of more than 4 million residents – that’s Harris County, Texas.
Sec. 31.014(a) of (SB-1933), states that the Secretary of State (Jane Nelson) has the power to order administrative oversight of a county office administering elections of voter registration in a county with over 4 million residents.
Under Senate Bill 1933, anyone who participated in the election can file a complaint against Harris County, Texas. Did you hear what I just said?
To make myself clear, (SB-1933) can be triggered by a candidate, a county chair, a state chair of a political party, a presiding judge, an alternate presiding judge, or the head of a specific purpose political action committee that supported or opposed a measure.
What’s my concern?
There’s also a section in (SB-1933) that talks about handling “ABSENTEE MAIL BALLOTS.”
It does not make sense that the Harris County Clerk’s Office has already received 9,612 absentee mail ballots with 13 days remaining before the first day of early voting.
When you factor in the fact that the combined total of absentee mail ballots received was 6,218 on Super Tuesday, with (50) fifty competitive races for Democrat primary voters to decide and (20) twenty Republican primary voters to decide, having 9,612 absentee mail ballots already is concerning.
As things stand today (Tuesday, May 7, 2024), the Harris County Clerk has already received 9,083 absentee mail ballots for the upcoming Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Democratic Party Primary runoff election for Harris County, Texas.
“FINAL THOUGHTS.”
On “SUPER TUESDAY,” with over (50) fifty competitive races on the Harris County Democratic Party Primary ballot, only 3,769 absentee mail ballots were cast by Democratic Party Primary voters in Harris County, Texas. However, with only (7) seven Democratic Party Primary runoff races on the ballot, 9,083 absentee mail ballots have already been cast for the upcoming Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Democratic Party Primary, where the turnout will be meager.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com