Voting fraud hot topic in RGV election

PHARR, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — The topic of voter fraud in the Rio Grande Valley is heated this election season.

Not only has former President Donald Trump made it integral to his campaign, but the issue is still fresh in people’s minds after a state judge recently reversed county election results due to fraud.

Judge Bañales’s ruling for Hidalgo County’s Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 election trial was due to improper voting assistance.

Willacy County Republican Chair Estella McKee and others, like Robert Cantu of Hidalgo County, are requesting the Secretary of State to send more inspectors this November in light of the trial.

“We’ve sent letters and we have official complaints against the elections department,” said McKee. “We ask for more elections inspectors. We ask for more people to be here, as far as to help us.”

She is concerned voters are underrepresented, and that they cannot secure as many polling places to prevent improper voting assistance.

Cameron Democrat Chair Jared Hockema says his party would also welcome more inspectors, but says they cannot actually do much for issues of voter conduct.

“Individuals outside of the election process that have done things they shouldn’t have, those have been addressed by authorities or by the courts. But overall, our election workers, our judges, our elections administrators, our clerks. Those folks do a great job, and I think the public should have every confidence in the integrity of our elections.”

Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza clarifies what the county can do about improper voting assistance and fraud.

“We have steps that we document,” said Garza. “They’re required to take an oath. They sign the oath form. They also identify on the combination form who it was they were providing assistance to… If a presiding judge or one of the clerks were to see something that they felt was illegal, or inappropriate, or questionable, they always have the right to bring that to our attention here at the elections office.”

The Secretary of State responded to requests from Valley chairs but has not decided on whether they will send more inspectors to the Valley.

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