Harris County Wins Court Order Temporarily Blocking Abolishment of Elections Office

Style Magazine Newswire | 8/15/2023, 2:15 p.m.
A Travis County District Court has sided with Harris County on its request to temporarily block Senate Bill 1750—which abolishes …
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee

A Travis County District Court has sided with Harris County on its request to temporarily block Senate Bill 1750—which abolishes the Harris County Elections Administrator’s Office—from going into effect. The court concluded Harris County is likely to prevail on its claim that SB1750 violates the Texas constitution’s prohibition on local laws, and issued a temporary injunction preventing state officials from enforcing the law until the lawsuit concludes.

“This ruling is a win for not just Harris County, but for elections officials throughout the state. We can’t allow politically motivated lawmakers to pass laws targeting only one county because of personal vendettas,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “This law is about disrupting Harris County elections, not making them better. We have good people in this county of all political beliefs who take the time to help run elections and make our democracy work. Republican leaders in Austin should be trying to help them, not throw their work into disarray. My office will continue to fight for those folks.”

The legislature set SB1750 to go into effect September 1, 2023, just weeks before early voting in the November 2023 elections, which include statewide constitutional amendments, countywide bond propositions, and municipal races for the City of Houston. The state has already appealed today's ruling, which voids the order. The county will now seek emergency action from the Texas Supreme Court.

The temporary injunction hearing was argued by County Attorney Menefee, First Assistant Jonathan Fombonne, Special Assistant Neal Sarkar, and Assistant County Attorney Matthew Miller.

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