Election Audit Program
In 2021, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1 (87th Leg., 2nd Called Special Session), which included a provision requiring the Office of the Secretary of State to conduct audits in four randomly selected counties. Section 127.351 of the Texas Election Code provides that the Secretary of State shall conduct an audit of the elections held in the preceding two years after the most recent November uniform election occurring in an even-numbered year.
On July 28, 2022, the Secretary of State conducted a drawing to determine which counties would be audited for the 2021-2022 election period. Those counties include:
- Cameron;
- Eastland;
- Guadalupe; and
- Harris.
The mission of the Audit Division is to thoroughly review and examine election records and documents maintained by county election officials to:
(1) ascertain whether election laws and procedures were properly followed;
(2) attempt to determine the causes of any discrepancies in vote counting or tabulation; and
(3) identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency and security in Texas election administration.
Reports:
- Executive Summary: Preliminary Findings Report for November 8, 2022 General Election in Harris County (PDF)
- Preliminary Findings Report for November 8, 2022 General Election in Harris County (PDF)
- Executive Summary: Phase 2 Audit Report of 2020 General Election in Texas (PDF)
- Final Phase 2 Audit Report of 2020 General Election in Texas (PDF)
- Letter to Harris County on Mobile Ballot Boxes from the 2020 General Election lacking proper chain-of-custody and request for corrective action (PDF) (October 18, 2022)
- 2020 General Election Audit – Phase 1 Progress Report (PDF) (December 31, 2021)
Press Releases:
- Secretary Scott Releases Phase 2 Audit Report of 2020 General Election in Texas (December 19, 2022)
- Texas Secretary of State Releases Phase 1 Audit Progress Report 2020 General Election (December 31, 2021)