Michele Carew Responds To Ballot Switch Claims In Bexar County

Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew stated Friday that voting equipment in the county remains secure after reports emerged of voters seeing their selections change on touchscreen machines. Carew said her office is responding to the complaints and has contacted the equipment manufacturer to determine if any action is required. She advised voters to notify a poll worker immediately if a printed ballot does not show their intended choices.

Emily French, policy director for Common Cause Texas, told reporters on a call that outside interference altering ballots is highly unlikely. She attributed the reported changes to touchscreen sensitivity rather than programming issues. "The machines are not switching your ballot," French said. "It may not reflect what you had in your brain when you pressed your finger to it, but people are used to touching iPhones and not Palm Pilots, and voting machines in Texas can often feel a lot more like a Palm Pilot than an iPhone."

The discussion follows a report by KSAT regarding at least three early voters who alleged their choices were altered. The incidents were reported at the Converse Community Events Center, Wonderland of the Americas, and Macedonia Baptist Church. In each instance, voters said their selections shifted from Democratic candidates to Republicans.

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said on a recent press call that confusion is being sown regarding the election system. "We know that President Trump and his administration are terrified of losing the upcoming election," Sozan said. He added that bad actors are attempting to sow confusion and doubt about the election system.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries addressed voting rights in San Antonio on Sunday. He told the Current that Democrats have established the largest voter protection effort in the history of a midterm election in America.

Early voting in the county continues through October 30. Polls reopen for Election Day on November 3. Voters can verify registration status and polling information through the Bexar County Elections Department website. Reports of intimidation or infringements on voting rights can be directed to 866-OUR-VOTE.