Ken Paxton's Ballot Placement Not Election Interference, Officials Say

Harris County Clerk's office confirms ballot order determined by random drawing, not tampering.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:22pm

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Allegations of 'election interference' regarding Ken Paxton's placement at the bottom of the ballot in the Republican Senate primary are unfounded, according to Harris County election officials. A spokesperson for the county clerk's office stated that ballot order is determined through a required random drawing by political parties prior to early voting, and that the Verity voting system's design prompts voters to scroll through the full list of candidates.

Why it matters

The claims of election interference could sow further distrust in the electoral process, especially as the heated Senate primary race enters its final stretch. Maintaining public confidence in the integrity of elections is crucial for a healthy democracy.

The details

A spokesperson for the Harris County Clerk's Office said their office had not been contacted by the Texas Attorney General's office regarding any alleged 'election interference.' They confirmed that the ballot order is set through a random drawing by political parties prior to early voting, and that the Verity voting system's design requires voters to scroll through the full candidate list. The spokesperson stated that this scrolling feature is not a choice made by the county, but rather how the system displays long candidate lists.

  • Early voting for the Texas Senate primary ends on February 27, 2026.
  • Election day for the Texas Senate primary is March 3, 2026.

The players

Ken Paxton

A Republican candidate in the Texas Senate primary election.

John Cornyn

The incumbent Republican Senator for Texas, also running in the primary.

Wesley Hunt

A Republican Congressman running in the Texas Senate primary.

Teneshia Hudspeth

The Harris County Clerk, responsible for running elections in the county.

Rosio Torres-Segura

The administrator of communications for the Harris County Clerk's Office.

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What they’re saying

“In races with many candidates, scrolling is how the Verity interface displays long lists, not a design choice made by the county and not specific to any one race or party.”

— Rosio Torres-Segura, Administrator of communications, Harris County Clerk's Office (Houston Chronicle)

“Each political party sets ballot order through a required random drawing, and counties load that legally determined order into their systems.”

— Rosio Torres-Segura, Administrator of communications, Harris County Clerk's Office (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.