Election Official Called Out On Bad Behavior

“There is no place in the Harris County government or any other government in the US, to attempt to silence a voter.”

Those strong words were offered by Becky Langston during last week’s Harris County Commission meeting regarding alleged behavior by a member of the Harris County Board of Elections.

The situation occurred during the night of the Primary Election held May 19. Her husband, Dwight Langston, was at the elections office waiting for results to be posted. This was nothing new as he has been present at numerous elections over many years to be among the first to learn results.

About 10:15 pm and with only the Hamilton precinct results having been posted on the door, election results for local offices had not been posted at the elections office, and Dwight Langston left. He was not alone in doing that as others who were waiting on results had left or were leaving.

Among those who apparently left before results had been posted locally was a reporter from a Columbus television station who reportedly indicated that no election results were available from Harris County during the station’s 11 pm broadcast.

Becky Langston told commissioners that she posted criticisms on social media, specifically Facebook, regarding that local election results had not been posted at the elections office. Then about 11:50 pm, she shared that a member of the Harris County Board of Elections called her. Presuming this person was going to share election information, she answered the call despite the late hour. Instead of sharing voting results, Langston claims the person, whose identity was never revealed, began yelling over the phone and repeatedly demanding she remove the social media post.

“I was shocked at the despicable behavior,” she told commissioners and said the post was removed, something she later termed as a mistake in doing, but claimed the situation did not stop there. She related that her husband, Dwight, attempted to call this person back three times before they answered and then the individual allegedly said they were “not ready to talk to y’all yet”.

“I am passionate about many things, however I am super passionate about our First Amendment rights,” Langston told the commissioners specifically noting freedom of speech which she was exercising in the social media post.

A former Harris County Commissioner and having served as Chair of the Harris County Commission, Langston claimed to have nominated the individual to serve on the Board of Elections and added, “Any attempt to silence my voice will only make it stronger.”

Langston said there is a problem on the Board of Elections and that leaders must ask hard questions when legitimate concerns are raised, confront problems and hold those responsible accountable.

Commissioner Rob Grant asked what Langston had written on the social media post. She answered, though not verbatim, saying that 4-1/2 hours after the polls had closed with no results on local Harris County elections. She then quoted the television reporter’s remarks on not having results for Harris County then added, “We can do better than this.”

Commissioner Scott Lightsey said the reporter had been told he could “come back in” to the elections office and in fact, a stringer for the Associated Press was present the entire time and did receive the vote totals from the local elections office.

In addition, the Secretary of State’s website had the vote totals posted well before the alleged phone call between the member of the elections board and Langston took place.