As expected, the state of Texas appealed A Travis County judge's ruling that temporarily paused implementation of a new state law abolishing the county's elections office.
The Office of the Attorney General filed a direct appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. This filing stays the lower court’s ruling pending a decision by the highest court in the state.
In a statement, the Attorney General's office said, "SB 1750 was signed into law this year after Harris County experienced multiple problems administering its elections, an issue that puts the integrity of Texas elections at risk and can undermine public trust in the political system by endangering the critical guarantee that every vote will be fairly counted. The law eliminates the Elections Administrator position in Harris County—an appointed position—and returns those powers to the Tax Assessor-Collector and the County Clerk, which are elected positions."
Senate Bill 1750 was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, and was set to go into effect Sept. 1st.
Under SB1750, the duties for overseeing elections in Harris County revert back to two elected officials, the county clerk and the tax assessor-collector, who ran elections until Commissioners Court under Judge Lina Hidalgo created an elections administrator's office.
Isabel Longoria was the first administrator but was forced out following issues in several elections. Clifford Tatum was brought in to replace her.
More than 20 challenges have been filed in Harris County, including one by Alexandra del Moral Mealer, who lost to Hidalgo by 18,183 votes, her lawyers claim they found 32,000 illegal votes.
The first challenge, filed by Republican Erin Lunceford, was heard last week. A ruling is not expected until all the other cases are heard.